China is tightening its rules on imported food packaging in 2026 under GAC Decree 280 and supporting measures in GAC Announcement No. 27 of 2026.
The new system gives regulators more control, with a stronger focus on risk-based checks and proof that overseas factories can consistently meet product-specific requirements.
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For food and packaging companies around the world, this is a major change. Packaging is no longer just about printing labels at the end of production. It is now closely tied to product approval, factory registration and ongoing compliance checks.
China tightens control of imported food packaging
China’s updated approach is designed to improve food safety and make it easier to trace products through the supply chain. Under GAC Decree 280, authorities now place greater importance on making sure packaging matches the product details approved during registration.
In simple terms, what is printed on the package must match the official product information exactly.
This includes the product name, ingredients, allergen information, storage instructions and country of origin. All of this must be shown correctly in Chinese on the packaging.
Even small differences between the packaging and the official registration documents can lead to delays at customs, extra checks or rejection of shipments. This increases the pressure on overseas manufacturers, especially those exporting a wide range of products.
Packaging is now treated as part of the product’s official identity, not just a marketing or shipping requirement. As a result, packaging teams need to work much more closely with regulatory and compliance teams.
Risk based checks change approval requirements
A key change in GAC Announcement No. 27 of 2026 is the introduction of risk-based controls for imported food. Instead of treating all products the same way, Chinese authorities now group foods based on risk level, past compliance and product type.
Higher-risk foods face more detailed inspections and stricter checks on packaging accuracy. Lower-risk products may go through a simpler process, but they still must fully meet labelling and registration rules.
The system also introduces competency recommendations for certain food categories. These are used to confirm that overseas factories have the right equipment, hygiene standards and systems to produce specific products safely.
Packaging is part of this review. Authorities may look at how packaging is managed, including material controls and labelling systems, when deciding whether a factory is suitable to export to China.
This links factory capability more closely to packaging compliance. Manufacturers must now show not only that their packaging is correct, but that their production systems can reliably produce accurate and consistent packaging every time.
What manufacturers need to do to stay compliant
For overseas manufacturers, these changes mean packaging can no longer be treated separately from regulatory planning. It must be built into the process from the beginning.
One of the most important steps is early alignment between packaging design and China’s requirements. This includes preparing Chinese-language labels correctly, ensuring ingredient lists are complete and making sure allergen information follows accepted formats.
Companies also need stronger internal record keeping. Under the risk-based system, consistency between product recipes, registration documents and packaging information is essential. Any mismatch can cause inspections or delays at the border.
Manufacturers exporting different types of products may also need to manage them according to risk level. Higher-risk products are likely to need more detailed documentation and stricter packaging checks.
Over time, factories with strong quality systems and reliable traceability will be better placed to meet these requirements. Competency-based assessments are expected to play a bigger role in deciding who can export certain food products to China.
For the global packaging industry, China’s 2026 update is clear in direction. Compliance is moving earlier in the process, and packaging is now a key part of approval rather than a final step before export.
