How to ensure that exported nuts comply with European standards?

To ensure that exported nuts comply with European standards, enterprises need to establish a full process compliance management system, from raw material control to customs clearance and release, with precise execution at every step. The following is a systematic operational path based on EU regulations and China's export practices:

1、 Enterprise Qualification and Filing: Legal Prerequisite for Compliant Export

Registration of Export Food Production Enterprises:

Submit the filing application to the local customs through the "China International Trade Single Window" or the "Internet plus+Customs" platform to obtain the Registration Certificate of Export Food Production Enterprises. The record is valid for a long time, and the information can be publicly queried on the official website of the General Administration of Customs.

Overseas registration (if applicable):

If the target EU country requires enterprise registration (such as Germany and France for some high-risk products), it is necessary to apply for overseas recommended registration to the Chinese customs, and submit it to the EU competent authority after customs review. The registration status is subject to the official announcement of the European Union.

2、 Raw materials and production: controlling risks from the source

Raw material procurement:

Priority should be given to production areas without a history of aflatoxin contamination (such as Xinjiang and Yunnan), and suppliers are required to provide testing reports for each batch of aflatoxin B ₁ ≤ 1.0 μ g/kg (stricter than the EU limit of 2.0 μ g/kg, with safety margins reserved).

HACCP system implementation:

Establish a system based on the seven principles of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), with key control points (CCPs) including:

Cross contamination prevention and control: If the production line simultaneously processes allergens such as peanuts and gluten, physical isolation and cleaning verification (ATP biological fluorescence detection value ≤ 50 RLU) must be implemented.

3、 Testing and authentication: Third party verification is the key to customs clearance

Selection of Testing Institution:

Prioritize entrusting Chinese third-party institutions recognized by the European Union to issue testing reports, such as:

China Inspection and Certification Group (CCIC): has established laboratories in Shandong and Guangdong, and can issue EU recognized reports on aflatoxin, pesticide residue, and MOAH testing.

National Food Quality Supervision and Inspection Center (Beijing): With triple qualifications of CNAS, CMA, and CAL, the report has been recognized by 36 EU countries.

List of testing items (mandatory):

Aflatoxin B ₁, total amount

Pesticide residues (including 6 extremely low limit substances such as fluazuron and thiamethoxam)

Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH)

Microorganisms (Salmonella, Escherichia coli)

Allergen residue (cross contamination screening)

4、 Labeling and Packaging: The 'First Checkpoint' of EU Customs

Mandatory label elements (according to EU 1169/2011):

Product name: "Almond" and "Walnut". The vague expression "mixed nuts" is prohibited;

Allergen: bolded and marked with a red background indicating "contains: nuts (almonds, walnuts)";

Nutrient composition table: The energy, fat, protein, and salt content must be complete for every 100g;

Origin: "Country of Origin: China";

Manufacturer information: name, address, phone number, email (recommended to include importer information within the European Union).

Packaging material compliance:

Use food contact materials that comply with (EU) 10/2011 and prohibit the use of phthalate plasticizers. Suggest using aluminum foil composite bags+vacuum packaging, and printing batch number+production date.

5、 Declaration and Customs Clearance: Accurately Responding to EU Inspections

Declaration documents:

Contract, invoice, packing list, factory inspection report, EU accredited laboratory testing report, certificate of origin (Form A or CO).

Local inspection:

Customs implements "double random" spot checks, with a focus on inspecting:

Is the label clear, complete, and free from alterations;

Is the packaging sealed and free from mold;

Check if the test report is within its validity period (usually ≤ 6 months).

Special Convenience in Linyi Region:

Pilot of market procurement trade mode: Linyi has been approved to export nut stir fried goods (cooked) to 5 Southeast Asian countries and Africa, without the need for registration of export food production enterprises, and can be declared, inspected, and cleared in one go.

Speed up export tax rebate: The Lingang District Taxation Bureau has achieved the completion of export tax rebates within 24 hours, with a paperless declaration rate of 100%.

6、 Continuous improvement: responding to regulatory updates

Pay attention to the EU RASFF warning: Monthly login to the EU Food Safety Rapid Warning System monitoring and reporting cases. From 2025 to 2026, Chinese nuts have been reported more than 17 times due to unmarked allergens and excessive levels of aflatoxin.

Establish a regulatory tracking mechanism: subscribe to the official website announcements of the General Administration of Customs and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, with a focus on:

(EU) 2026/140 (effective from August 12, 2026): MRL of 6 pesticides will be reduced to 0.01 mg/kg;

(EU) 2023/915 (proposed revision): The MOAH limit may be tightened to 0.1 mg/kg.

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