AQSIQ Scrap Recycle China registration metal plastic

AQSIQ China recyclable scrap

(by http://www.beijingavenue.com)

China’s annual GDP growth rate has been kept between 8-12% despite the economic recession in many western countries in recent years. China’s own recycling programs have grown exponentially, but still, cannot meet with the demand on recycling materials. China is the World’s largest scrap importer, not only to meet its only internal consumption, e.g., scrap metal used in building new apartments, but also to export the final product made of recycling material to the World, e.g. plastic pens, bottles and trays.        

Many recyclable scrap materials could be exported to China but both buyers and sellers have to follow China’s policy on recycling goods and environment. One of the key tools to regulate the market by the central government is the introduction of the AQSIQ for both buyers and sellers.

Exporting scrap materials to China is regulated by the government agency General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, in short the AQSIQ agency. Exporters are usually required a permit, known as the AQSIQ granted by the AQSIQ agency and also a pre-shipment inspection by China Certification & Inspection (Group) Co, in short CCIC.

The AQSIQ agency’s main function is to safeguard the imported cargos in China, and ensure that imported wastes comply with the environmental protection standards and other mandatory requirements regulations of China.

By AQSIQ regulations, it is mandatory for foreign enterprises, who export waste material to China, to register with AQSIQ. Waste materials from unregistered enterprises will be denied entry, and the requests for inspection and quarantine will not be considered. 

While there are thousands of scrap importers/buyers and a huge demand in China, foreign exporters/sellers do not necessarily have the ability to reach the buyers and make deals. One reason is the difficulty in communication. With the language barriers, it is not easy for buyers and sellers to locate each other. Another reason is even when buyers and sellers do meet and they like each other’s offer, if the seller doesn’t have the AQSIQ permit that allow them to sell scrap to China, no deal could be signed.

The CCIC does pre-shipment inspection which you can have it passed as long as the quality of your product is in compliance with China’s scrap importing policies. But for the AQSIQ, you have to apply it in advance if you know that you will sell to China.

Applying AQSIQ license typically takes between six months to a year depends on how busy the government is. The application process is somewhat complex due to the larger amount of paper work which needs to be prepared to show all the required documents. An onsite inspection could be scheduled as AQSIQ randomly send their stuff to the applicants’ plants and processing sites.

Beijing Avenue is a cross–border experienced AQSIQ consulting and business advisory firm operating globally, with offices in Beijing and Canada. We serve clients from China, Canada, the United States and worldwide. We assist companies doing business in China with their expansion plans, new business development, partnering and operations, for example, obtaining licenses, developing new markets and purchasing equipment or raw materials. 

To find out more on AQSIQ:  http://www.beijingavenue.com