CIQ Inspection of Import and Export of Hazardous Chemicals in China

Pursuant to the regulations on safe management of hazardous chemicals in China that enters into force on 1 Dec 2011, General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine(AQSIQ) or China Inspection and Quarantine Bureau(CIQ) is responsible for performing inspection of imported & exported hazardous chemicals and their packages.

Chinese companies who export hazardous chemicals abroad by sea or air need to obtain hazard identification and classification report from designated testing lab in China(for example, Shanghai Chemical Industry Testing Centre for Shanghai Port) to determine if those chemicals belong to dangerous goods. If those chemicals belong to dangerous goods, manufacturers of the dangerous goods and packages need to apply for an inspection from local Inspection and Quarantine authorities and get certified by CIQ. Otherwise, the goods cannot be exported.

If foreign companies export hazardous chemicals in China, Chinese importer shall apply for inspection from local Inspection and Quarantine authority at the port of entry.

The following documents shall be provided (at least) when applying for an inspection:

• Declaration of conformity;
• Licenses: Registration certificate for hazardous chemicals, operating license, safe-use license and business license;
• SDS in Chinese; sample of hazard communication label;
• Report on hazard identification and classification;

The following items will be inspected by CIQ:

• Identify whether the composition/constituent information of goods, physical and chemical properties, hazard class, packaging category meet the requirements of relevant standards, and whether they are consistent with the hazard identification and classification report, SDS and chemical safety label provided when applying for an inspection;
• Identify whether a Chinese SDS has been provided along with the goods, whether a Chinese label has been affixed on the packaging of goods; whether the contents in SDS and label meet the requirements of relevant standards and are consistent with the goods.
• Identify whether the models, category, specification, unit quantity and mark of packaging meet the standard requirements and whether the packaging has been adapted to the properties and uses of the inspected goods.
• Identify whether the packing method meets standard requirement and whether the use of package is appropriate, whether the packaging is sealed tightly and whether the goods inside the package have leaked.

If hazardous chemicals and packaging materials pass inspection, CIQ will issue a certificate of inspection and quarantine of imported commodities and the chemical products can now be sold and used in China.

Please note that sending a small quantity of sample by delivery service provider does not require CIQ inspection.

More info about how hazardous chemicals are regulated in China, please click here