Is GACC registration mandatory for all Indian food exporters to China?

Yes — under Decree 248 of 2021, every overseas food producer exporting food (in any of the 24 categories) to China must obtain a GACC Registration Number.

What is the validity of GACC registration?

GACC Registration is valid for **5 years** from the date of allotment. Renewal application must be filed at least 6 months before expiry on the GACC portal.

Can an Indian exporter apply directly on the GACC portal without Indian authority endorsement?

Only for self-registration product categories (e.g., fat/oil products, roasted coffee, processed cereals, certain frozen foods). Categories like meat, seafood, dairy, honey, and bird's nest require endorsement from the Indian competent authority.

What is the GACC registration fee?

GACC does not charge a registration fee. Indian competent authorities (EIC, MPEDA, etc.) charge a processing fee (typically ₹10,000–₹25,000) for listing recommendation.

What happens if a consignment is shipped without GACC registration?

Chinese customs will refuse entry; the consignment may be re-exported or destroyed at the exporter's cost. The exporter may also face suspension of future registration eligibility.

What are Chinese GB standards?

GB standards are mandatory Chinese national standards for food safety (e.g., GB 2762 — contaminants, GB 2761 — mycotoxins, GB 2763 — pesticide residues, GB 2760 — food additives). Indian exporters must demonstrate compliance with applicable GB standards.

Can a manufacturer-exporter use a merchant-exporter's GACC registration?

No — GACC registration is producer/facility-specific. A merchant exporter must ship from a GACC-registered manufacturing facility.

What is the role of EIC/APEDA in GACC registration?

EIC and the commodity boards act as "competent authorities" recognised by GACC for verifying the Indian facility's compliance and forwarding the recommendation. Without their endorsement (where required), GACC will not process the application.

Editor's pickStartup

Gacc Registration

Gacc Registration requires precise documentation and timely submission. I-Pro Solutions manages the complete workflow including GACC food export registration and.

Statutory basis: **Decree No. 248 of 2021** — "Decree on the Registration and Administration of Overseas Producers of Imported Food" issued by the **General Administration of Customs of China (GACC)**, effective 1 January 2022. **Decree No. 249 of 2021** — "Decree on the Administration of Imported and Exported Food Safety" effective 1 January 2022 (companion decree). Indian-side implementation through the **Export Inspection Council of India (EIC)** under the Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963 (Act 22 of 1963) — Section 5 (authorised agencies) read with the EIC Notification for China-bound exports. Foreign Trade Policy 2023-28 — Para 2.55 (RCMC) remains a separate requirement..

Turnaround

7–14 Working Days

₹

Starts from

₹9,199

Money-back accuracy

Guaranteed

Total starting from

₹9,199

Professional fee (no government fee)

Professional fee₹9,199 starts with

Government fee (est.)No fee

Turnaround7–14 Working Days

Money-back accuracy. CA/CS specialist. Tracked client portal.

CONFIRMEDverified 25 Aug 2026

Dedicated specialist

CA-led, named point of contact

Tracked client portal

Real-time status, end-to-end

Money-back accuracy

Refile-free if our error

Flat-fee pricing

No hidden charges, ever

About this service

Gacc Registration is a key regulatory filing administered by General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC). Indian-side designated competent authorities for GACC registration under Decree 248: **Export Inspection Council of India (EIC)** (meat, eggs, dairy, seafood, honey, prepared foods, etc.); **APEDA** (fruits/vegetables and processed foods); **Spices Board** (spices); **Tea Board** (tea); **Coffee Board** (coffee); **MPEDA** (marine products); **FSSAI** (certain categories).. Filing is executed via Online application form on GACC's China Single Window portal. The Indian competent authority (EIC/APEDA/Spices Board/MPEDA) forwards a recommended list of overseas producers (with their GACC Registration Numbers) to GACC. For self-registration categories (categories 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14 of the 24 product categories under Decree 248), the producer registers directly on the GACC portal. under **Decree No. 248 of 2021** — "Decree on the Registration and Administration of Overseas Producers of Imported Food" issued by the **General Administration of Customs of China (GACC)**, effective 1 January 2022. **Decree No. 249 of 2021** — "Decree on the Administration of Imported and Exported Food Safety" effective 1 January 2022 (companion decree). Indian-side implementation through the **Export Inspection Council of India (EIC)** under the Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963 (Act 22 of 1963) — Section 5 (authorised agencies) read with the EIC Notification for China-bound exports. Foreign Trade Policy 2023-28 — Para 2.55 (RCMC) remains a separate requirement.. Our specialist-led team ensures full compliance with statutory documentation, eligibility verification, and expedited government approval.

Eligibility & thresholds

Minimum

Valid identity & address proof of applicant
Active PAN & registered business premises
Authorized representative authorization

Maximum

Compliant under applicable regulatory laws
No pending statutory disqualifications
Valid across authorized operational jurisdictions

Statutory floor

Pre-filing statutory documentation verification
Official statutory fee schedule as per authority
Mandatory periodic compliance filings post-approval

What's included

Everything in one transparent fee — no add-ons, no surprises.

Investor-Centric AOA Drafting

If you plan to raise institutional funding, standard Articles of Association (AOA) will not suffice. Venture capitalists demand specific clauses regarding right of first refusal (ROFR), tag-along/drag-along rights, and anti-dilution provisions. Our elite corporate lawyers draft sophisticated AOAs that anticipate future funding rounds, preventing costly and time-consuming structural overhauls when you secure term sheets.

Complex Multi-Founder Structuring

Co-founder disputes are the leading cause of early-stage startup failure. We don't just register your company; we advise on optimal equity splits, director roles, and authorized capital distribution. We provide templates for Co-Founder Agreements and vesting schedules, ensuring that the foundational relationship between partners is legally documented and aligned for long-term stability.

Rapid SPICe+ Processing Engine

Time is of the essence for startups. We utilize an advanced compliance engine that preemptively validates all data entered into the SPICe+ (INC-32) form. By cross-referencing PAN databases, checking DIN eligibility, and formatting registered office proofs perfectly, we eliminate typographical errors that typically cause frustrating ROC resubmission delays, ensuring first-pass approval.

Strategic Authorized Capital Advisory

Determining your initial Authorized Share Capital is a delicate balance. Set it too low, and you'll immediately face high fees to increase it during your first seed round. Set it too high, and you pay unnecessary upfront government stamp duty. We analyze your 12-to-18-month funding roadmap to recommend the exact optimal capital structure that minimizes immediate costs while accommodating your immediate growth.

ESOP Implementation Framework

Attracting top-tier talent in the startup ecosystem often requires offering Employee Stock Ownership Plans. A Private Limited Company is the only structure that efficiently supports this. As part of our premium advisory, we structure your initial cap table to accommodate a future ESOP pool seamlessly, ensuring you are ready to incentivize your founding team.

Comprehensive Post-Incorporation Toolkit

Receiving the Certificate of Incorporation is just the starting line. Within the first 30 to 180 days, you must open a bank account, appoint a statutory auditor (ADT-1), and file the Commencement of Business (INC-20A). We provide a complete post-incorporation execution service, handling these mandatory compliance milestones so you can focus entirely on product development and sales.

Government Fee Breakdown

Government charges only — separate from I-Pro's professional fee. All figures verified as of 25 August 2026.

Fee Component	Amount (₹)	Basis / Authority
Gacc Registration Statutory Filing	₹0 (No government fee)	Government fee is Nil / exempted under applicable statutory rulesOfficial Regulator
Total Government Fee	No fee	(for default assumptions stated below)

Government charges only — separate from I-Pro's professional fee. Verified 25 August 2026.

Required documents

Each list identifies exactly what to provide — and what you do not need to submit. Use the accordions to expand.

›IEC issued by DGFT. — IEC issued by DGFT.
›APEDA/Spices Board/MPEDA/Tea Board/Coffee Board RCMC (as applicable). — APEDA/Spices Board/MPEDA/Tea Board/Coffee Board RCMC (as applicable).
›FSSAI Licence (for processed food). — FSSAI Licence (for processed food).
›Factory registration certificate issued by Indian competent authority. — Factory registration certificate issued by Indian competent authority.
›Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) certificate or ISO 22000 (Food Safety Management Syst — Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) certificate or ISO 22000 (Food Safety Management System).
›Layout plan and process flow of factory. — Layout plan and process flow of factory.
›List of products intended for export to China with HS codes. — List of products intended for export to China with HS codes.
›Authorised signatory details (with English translation). — Authorised signatory details (with English translation).
›Self-declaration of compliance with Chinese GB standards (food safety standards). — Self-declaration of compliance with Chinese GB standards (food safety standards).

How it works

Each step is labelled with who performs it — Customer, I-Pro, or the Regulator. Form names are linked to the official portal.

1
Customer⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 1: **I-Pro / Customer**
**I-Pro / Customer**: Identify product category under GACC Decree 248; confirm whether Indian competent authority endorsement is mandatory.
2
I-Pro⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 2: **I-Pro**
**I-Pro**: Compile all mandatory documents in English (translations where required).
3
I-Pro⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 3: **I-Pro**
**I-Pro**: For endorsed categories — submit application to designated Indian competent authority (EIC/APEDA/Spices Board/MPEDA) on its online portal.
4
I-Pro⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 4: **Indian competent authority**
**Indian competent authority**: Scrutinises; forwards recommended list to GACC.
5
I-Pro⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 5: **I-Pro**
**I-Pro**: For self-registration categories — open https://singlewindow.cn → register as overseas producer → submit online application.
6
I-Pro⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 6: **GACC**
**GACC**: Reviews application; may request additional information or virtual inspection.
7
I-Pro⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 7: **GACC**
**GACC**: Allots **GACC Registration Number** (format: COUNTRYYYYY-NNNNNNN, e.g., IN0000-1234567) — valid for **5 years**.
8
I-Pro⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 8: **GACC**
**GACC**: Includes producer in "List of Overseas Food Production Enterprises Registered by GACC" (publicly searchable at https://singlewindow.cn).
9
I-Pro⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 9: **I-Pro**
**I-Pro**: Download registration certificate; brief exporter on Chinese GB standards and labelling requirements.
10
Regulator⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 10: **I-Pro**
**I-Pro**: Counsel on biennial renewal and continuing compliance.

Post-registration compliance

What to file next. I-Pro handles these as part of the annual compliance package.

Filing	Form	Deadline
Commencement of Business (Form INC-20A) Penalty: ₹50,000 for company + ₹1,000/day for directors (max ₹1 Lakh)	`One-time mandatory`	Within 180 days of incorporation after bank capital deposit
First Auditor Appointment (Form ADT-1) Penalty: Statutory non-compliance; prosecution of defaulting officers	`5-year tenure`	Within 30 days of incorporation by Board of Directors
Annual Financial Statements (Form AOC-4) Penalty: ₹100 per day of delay per form with no statutory ceiling	`Annual`	Within 30 days of AGM (by 29 October annually)
Annual Return (Form MGT-7) Penalty: ₹100 per day of delay per form with no statutory ceiling	`Annual`	Within 60 days of AGM (by 29 November annually)
Director KYC Verification (DIR-3 KYC) Penalty: ₹5,000 statutory fee per DIN + deactivation	`Annual`	Every designated partner / director holding active DIN by 30 September

Penalties for non-compliance

Statutory penalties under governing regulatory provisions. Avoid non-compliance delays.

Non-compliance	Provision	Penalty
Commencement of Business (Form INC-20A)	One-time mandatory	₹50,000 for company + ₹1,000/day for directors (max ₹1 Lakh)
First Auditor Appointment (Form ADT-1)	5-year tenure	Statutory non-compliance; prosecution of defaulting officers
Annual Financial Statements (Form AOC-4)	Annual	₹100 per day of delay per form with no statutory ceiling
Annual Return (Form MGT-7)	Annual	₹100 per day of delay per form with no statutory ceiling
Director KYC Verification (DIR-3 KYC)	Annual	₹5,000 statutory fee per DIN + deactivation

Common mistakes to avoid

Avoidable filing errors that cause delays or rejection. Each can be resolved before submission.

1
Mismatched applicant legal name or identity details across KYC proofs
Why: Government verification APIs cross-check with UIDAI and MCA databases and automatically flag discrepancies in spelling or dates.
Fix: Our specialists pre-validate your documents against official government databases before portal filing.
2
Submitting outdated utility bills or non-notarized commercial leases
Why: Premises proofs older than 60 days or defective landlord NOCs trigger statutory scrutiny queries and multi-week processing delays.
Fix: We verify recent billing dates and provide pre-formatted, legally vetted landlord NOC and lease formats.
3
Selecting incorrect classification, turnover slab, or statutory activity code
Why: Applications filed under inappropriate classifications attract show-cause notices and potential rejection without statutory fee refund.
Fix: We conduct a statutory scope assessment to align your application with the exact regulatory requirements.

Frequently asked questions

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