How SGS Helps Organizations Import Vegetable Oil into China

The Chinese vegetable oil market is incredibly large. According to official statistics published by the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC), China imported over nine million tons of vegetable oil in 2020.

This included approximately one million tons of soybean oil, more than four million tons of palm oil and around two million tons of rapeseed oil. In 2021, the total volume of vegetable oil imported into China was around 10 million tons, and demand is expected to grow further in 2022.

However, the process of importing vegetable oil into China – and exporting it to China – is extremely complex. This is where SGS can help.

The Requirements for Importing Vegetable Oil into China

Organizations must submit a Certificate of Analysis (COA) for all imported vegetable oil shipments to the GACC. This is needed to verify whether or not the products meet China’s national food safety standards, the imported vegetable oils need to be tested for the presence of additives (GB2760), mycotoxins (GB2761), sources of contamination (GB2762) and pesticides (GB2763).

What’s more, importers of vegetable oil must also provide a list of the vehicles/ships that will be used to transport the first three loads of cargo, as well as their carrying limitations. All accompanying documents, including the exporter registration form for Chinese customs and the relevant food safety certifications, must be submitted to the GACC prior arranging the shipment to China. SGS experts can deliver solutions for all related testing requirements as well the registration formalities in China.

The Challenges That Chinese Organizations Face When Importing Vegetable Oil

Chinese companies must ensure the quality and quantity of their imported vegetable oil are as expected. Unfortunately, this isn’t as simple as it might seem.

For example, Tianjin customs staff once found that a ship carrying about 12,000 tons of Indonesian palm oil liquid was short of 77,328 tons.

This was due to the fact that the oil’s density was higher at the loading port than it was at the discharge port. In total, the missing 77,328 tons were worth approximately USD 55,000.

Cases like these are all too common. In 2017, Tianjin customs detected shortages in 190 batches, with the cumulative missing weight amounting to 3,524,6 tons. These shortages were worth approximately USD 2,701 million in value.

How SGS Can Help

SGS provides trusted and independent inspection services at both the loading port and the port of discharge to prevent situations like these from occurring. Our on-the-ground inspectors will ensure that the vegetable oil’s quantity and quality are as required at all times.

SGS experts understand the specific requirements for importing each different type of vegetable oil into China. Our global network of laboratories can conduct rigorous testing to meet China’s importation requirements. What’s more, as a first-class surveyor with accredited laboratories, SGS can also issue COA certificates to help you meet GACC requirements.

We offer full testing and certification capabilities with rapid turnaround times. Furthermore, SGS in China supports SGS affiliates in other countries by providing information on any updates related to Chinese regulations around the importing and exporting of vegetable oil. Our experienced staff will help you every step of the way, ensuring that the importation/exportation process is as seamless as possible.

To find out more about our services and expertise, please get in touch:

Ard Assenberg van Eijsden
Global Business Manager Agri Liquids at SGS
t: +31 88 214 4517

Will Xu
Commodity Inspection Manager at SGS China
t: +86 (0) 25 8327 0643

Media contact:

Yulia Levandovska
Global Marketing Manager
t: +48 58 621 35 21