China has approved imports of dairy products from Romania

China's imports of dairy products from Eastern Europe are currently defined by a significant expansion of market access for new partners, set against a backdrop of broad trade tensions and new tariffs affecting the European Union (EU) as a whole.

China has approved the imports of dairy products from Romania effective April 16, Reuters reported, citing a notice from the General Administration of Customs.

Here are some key details about the approval:

The permitted products refer to all types of milk and dairy products processed primarily from cow, sheep, and goat’s milk.

These include pasteurised milk, sterilised milk, flavoured milk, fermented milk, cheese and processed cheese, single cream, cream, anhydrous cream, condensed milk, milk powder, whey powder, whey protein powder, colostrum powder, casein, milk mineral salts, milk-based infant formula, and its premixes.

Dairy cattle supplying raw milk for dairy products exported to China must come from farms that have no cases or suspected cases of foot-and-mouth disease for at least one month prior to the collection of raw milk.

China imports of dairy products from East Europe - significant expansion

China's imports of dairy products from Eastern Europe are currently defined by a significant expansion of market access for new partners, set against a backdrop of broad trade tensions and new tariffs affecting the European Union (EU) as a whole.

Recent Market Access: Romania

In April 2026, China officially approved dairy imports from Romania, opening its $70 billion dairy market to Romanian producers. Romania is considered a top-tier producer in terms of dairy quality within Europe, particularly for organic and high-quality milk products.

Trade Tensions and Tariffs (2025–2026) 

As of early 2026, Eastern European countries that are members of the EU (such as Poland, Romania, and the Baltic states) are subject to new trade measures imposed by China's Ministry of Commerce:

Anti-Subsidy Duties: Following a final ruling in February 2026, China imposed tariffs ranging from 7.4% to 11.7% on certain EU dairy imports for a five-year period.

Targeted Products: These duties specifically affect liquid milk, cream with a fat content higher than 10%, and various fresh and processed cheeses.

Regulatory Background: These measures were seen as retaliatory after the EU imposed duties on Chinese electric vehicles. Initially, provisional duties were as high as 42.7% before being lowered in the final February ruling.

Key Eastern European Suppliers and Products

While Western European nations like the Netherlands and France dominate the EU's dairy exports to China, Eastern European nations have been growing their presence:

Poland: Historically, a major exporter of liquid milk and whey powder to the Chinese market.

Romania: Now newly authorized to export a wide range of dairy products starting in 2026.

Product Focus: The region primarily supplies China with bulk ingredients such as whey powder (used in infant formula and animal feed) and skim milk powder, as well as high-shelf-life UHT milk.

Current Market Trends

Declining Volumes: Overall dairy imports from the EU have trended downward recently as China increases its domestic self-sufficiency to 70-80%.

Sourcing Shifts: The new tariffs are expected to incentivize Chinese importers to look toward non-EU sources like New Zealand or Australia to avoid the added costs on European milk and cheese.

The specific import requirements or registration processes for Eastern European dairy companies looking to enter the Chinese market.

The process for Eastern European dairy companies to export to China involves a rigorous multi-step registration framework primarily managed through the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).

1. Verification of Country-Level Access

Before any individual company can apply, their country must have a bilateral sanitary and quarantine agreement with China.

Poland & Baltic States: These countries already maintain active trade protocols for dairy.

Romania: Market access was officially granted on April 16, 2026.

2. GACC Facility Registration (CIFER System)

Under Decree 248, all overseas dairy manufacturers must be registered in the CIFER Single Window system before shipping.

Recommendation Requirement: Dairy is considered a "high-risk" category. Unlike some other foods, you cannot self-register; your national competent authority (e.g., Romania's ANSVSA) must review your facility and recommend it to GACC.

Evaluation: GACC may conduct document reviews or video/on-site inspections of the facility.

Registration Number: Once approved, you receive an 18-digit registration number that must be printed on both the inner and outer product packaging.

3. Exporter and Importer Record Filing

Both the Eastern European exporter and the Chinese importer must complete a "record filing" in the GACC filing system.

Exporters: Need to obtain a filing number for their company.

Chinese Importers: Must have a valid Food Operation License and, for products like infant formula, specific annotations on their license for that category.

4. Product Compliance & Labelling

Products must meet China's Guobiao (GB) National Standards.

Technical Standards: Key standards include GB 19645 (Pasteurized Milk), GB 25190 (Sterilized Milk), and GB 5420 (Cheese).

Labelling: Chinese labels must be printed directly on the packaging for special dietary foods (like infant formula), while others may sometimes use stickers, though direct printing is preferred

5. Summary Checklist for Entry

For a Romanian company, the next step would be contacting the National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA) to initiate the facility audit required for the GACC recommendation.

China.org, DCCC head office offers fully support China's imports of dairy products from Eastern Europe, the List of Chinese Importers for Dairy Products is available upon request, please CONTACT China.org for obtain the useful dairy products Chinese importer’ list.