September 9, 2016

MEMBERS ONLY Zika Prevention for US Exports to China: What We Know Now

NEW China modifies inspection rule aimed at Zika. Click here to read full update.

NEW Informal Communications from US Embassy in Beijing to AgTC. Click here to view. (9/9)

Click here for the official regulation.

Supplementary guidance for fumigation/certification requirements is below.

Chinese Fumigation Requirements (un-official translation)

Click here for what we believe to be the Chinese fumigation requirements

UPDATED Notices from US Government:

Click here for NEW Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) update on China’s requirements for shipments from Zika-infected countries (9/2)

Click here for Q&A from US Embassy following meeting with China’s Director General of the Ministry of Inspection an Quarantine (AQSIQ)

Click here for notes from US Foreign Agricultural Service

Click here for zika disinsection template

Example of zika disinsection certificate

Steamship Line Advisories:

Click here for the MSC Customer Advisory (8/10/16)

Click here for the Evergreen Line Customer Advisory (8/11/16)

Click here for Hamburg Sud Customer Advisory (8/11/16)

Click here for Hapag Lloyd Customer Advisory (8/12/16)

Click here for NYK Customer Advisory (8/12/16)

Click here for the APL Customer Advisory (8/15/16)

Click here for the Hanjin Customer Advisory (8/16/16)

Click here for the MOL Customer Advisory (8/18/16)

Click here for the Hanjin Customer Advisory (8/18/16)

Click here for the Hyundai Merchant Marine Customer Advisory (8/19/16)

See below for insights from AgTC members. Email info@agtrans.org to add yours. This page will be updated continuously.

Sample certificate of a full vessel mosquito treatment

-Since Brazil exports have been subject to the China Zika regulations since earlier this year, we have learned the process being applied to cotton exports to China; we are gathering information on exports of other cargoes, but the following, relating to cotton, is instructive:

  • what treatment is being applied? Phosphine / dosing: 2 GRAMS/M³ / Exposition time: 120 hours / Temperature: 26ºC
  • to empty container before loading or loaded container? To loaded container – before deliver it to the pre stacking terminal;
  • does the treatment vessel – fogger, etc. remain in the cargo with the container? No. After the exposition time it’s done an aeration process which any residue is removed from the container. In phosphine case, some tablets are put into the container and then they’re removed;

Therefore, it is clear that that Brazil exporters of cotton is fumigating each container at the stuffing point which is normally is relative close proximity to the marine terminals – Santos, Paranagua, etc.

UPDATED AgTC pest control company member weighs in on what kind of fogging insecticides are acceptable

Click here for port specific de-insectization procedures from China Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine

– “Fogging” with ultra-low volume insecticides may be just as effective and less costly than traditional fumigants such as methyl bromide, sulfuryl fluoride, phosphine and metal phosphide fumigants. Both are acceptable.

-According to Shanghai Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, no central government regulation is found yet. At this point it seems that each port is in charge of implementation. Click here for Shanghai Certification Requirements. Nansha/Huangpu and Qingdao are destination ports that seem to be more aggressively announcing the “requirement “for fumigation or certification.

– August 5th the regulation went into effect for US shipments. What will happen to cargo currently in transit?  Cargo that departed before this date will be exempt,

-Reefer containers are exempt if the temperature is lower that 15 degrees C and 59 degrees F