August 18, 2016

China Requires Treatment of Imported Shipments from U.S. Due to Zika Virus

China has added the United States to the list of countries that are required to perform anti-mosquito treatment, effective August 5, 2016 (excludes shipments in transit prior to that date). The disinsection requirement appears to apply to the container or vessel and is NOT specific to the commodity. Although spelled out in the released information, WG is seeking clarification from government officials on this point. 

There is, however, an exemption for temperature-controlled commodities that are held below 59 degrees F (15 Celsius), unless live mosquito larva are found by CIQ inspectors.

Both the United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHS) continue to work on this issue. High-level meetings that occurred between U.S. officials and China AQSIQ senior staff concluded on August 18, 2016 and resulted in the release of the following information:

USDA FAS Update on Requirements on Shipments from Zika-Infected Countries

Treatment Certificate Format Form

We will continue to provide more details in the next Spotlight issue or when they become available.

For questions, please contact Ken Gilliland at (949) 885-2267.