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Exporting Brazilian DDGS to China: GACC Registration and MARA Import Registration Requirements

As demand for imported feed ingredients continues to grow in China, Brazilian DDGS (Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles) is gaining attention as an important feed ingredient in international agricultural trade.

In May 2025, China and Brazil signed a bilateral protocol establishing the inspection and quarantine requirements for Brazilian corn distillers dried grains exported to China. This agreement provides a regulatory framework for Brazilian DDGS to enter the Chinese market.

However, country-level market access does not mean that every Brazilian DDGS manufacturer is automatically eligible to export to China. Overseas manufacturers must also meet the applicable Chinese registration requirements, with particular attention to GACC registration and MARA Import Feed Registration.

I.GACC Registration: A Key Requirement for Brazilian DDGS Manufacturers

GACC stands for the General Administration of Customs of China. It is responsible for the registration and supervision of overseas manufacturers exporting relevant feed products to China.

Under the bilateral protocol between China and Brazil, Brazilian DDGS must come from production and processing establishments assessed and approved by Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) and recommended to China’s GACC.

The general process involves assessment by the competent Brazilian authority, recommendation to Chinese Customs, and review and registration by GACC.

Before starting the application, manufacturers should confirm the following:

* Whether the establishment has completed the relevant registration with MAPA.

* Whether the manufacturing facility meets the requirements of the bilateral DDGS export protocol.

* Whether the facility has passed the necessary assessment and is eligible for recommendation by MAPA.

* Whether the establishment has obtained GACC registration and is listed as an approved overseas manufacturer for export to China.

It is important to note that the registration applies to the actual manufacturing establishment. A trading company cannot replace the production facility as the applicant for factory registration.

Exporters should therefore verify that the actual DDGS manufacturing plant has the required China export approval.

II.MARA Import Feed Registration: Another Key Requirement for Market Entry

MARA refers to China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

Under China’s regulations on imported feed and feed additives, overseas feed products falling within the registration scope must obtain an Import Feed Registration Certificate before they can be legally imported and marketed in China.

For Brazilian DDGS manufacturers, the MARA registration process generally involves the following steps:

1.Product Assessment

Confirm the product name, raw material composition, manufacturing process, intended use, quality specifications and other technical details to determine the applicable registration requirements.

2. Documentation Preparation

Prepare the required company documents, manufacturing process descriptions, product specifications, quality standards, laboratory reports and other supporting technical materials.

3. Sample Testing and Technical Review

Submit product samples and cooperate with the required laboratory testing and technical assessment in accordance with the applicable registration procedures.

4. Certificate Issuance

Once the application has passed the relevant review procedures, the Import Feed Registration Certificate will be issued by China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

Please note that MARA registration is generally product-based. Different products or formulations may require separate applications. One certificate should not be assumed to cover all products manufactured by the same company.

 III. How Should GACC and MARA Registration Be Arranged?

GACC and MARA serve different regulatory purposes and should not be treated as interchangeable approvals.

* GACC Registration: Confirms whether an overseas manufacturing establishment is eligible to export the relevant products to China.

* MARA Registration: Confirms whether the relevant imported feed product has obtained the required product registration for import and marketing in China.

For Brazilian DDGS projects, the order of these procedures is particularly important.

According to the relevant guidance published by Brazil’s MAPA, an import licence issued by China’s MARA is required when applying for GACC registration or submitting relevant registration changes for feed manufacturing establishments exporting to China.

Therefore, manufacturers should plan the MARA product registration and GACC factory registration processes in advance to avoid delays caused by incomplete regulatory documentation.

IV. Prepare in Advance to Enter the Chinese Feed Market

For Brazilian DDGS manufacturers planning to export to China, we recommend reviewing the following information before starting the registration process:

* Whether the manufacturing establishment has completed the relevant MAPA registration.

* Whether the facility complies with the bilateral China-Brazil DDGS export protocol.

* The types of DDGS products and formulations intended for export to China.

* Whether a Chinese importer or business partner has been identified.

* The current status of MARA product registration and GACC factory registration.

China offers significant opportunities for international feed ingredient suppliers. However, market entry involves several regulatory procedures, including overseas manufacturing establishment approval, product registration and inspection and quarantine requirements.

Early regulatory assessment and proper documentation preparation can help manufacturers reduce unnecessary delays and establish a smoother route into the Chinese market.

For Brazilian DDGS manufacturers, obtaining the required MARA Import Feed Registration and GACC factory registration is an important part of planning a successful export business to China.