Japanese Aquatic Enterprises Accelerate Preparations for Exports to China: Opportunities and Regulatory Challenges After Ban Lifting

In June 2025, China lifted the import ban on Japanese aquatic products that had been in place since 2023, restarting Sino-Japanese aquatic trade that had been stagnant for two years. Japanese aquatic enterprises are actively preparing, but some categories like scallops are temporarily unable to be supplied due to regulatory alignment issues; full recovery will require time for coordination.

1. China: Once the "Core Engine" of Japan’s Aquatic Exports

• 2022 Data: Japan’s total aquatic exports reached 387.3 billion yen. Exports to Chinese mainland were 87.1 billion yen (accounting for 22.5%), and exports to Hong Kong, China were 75.5 billion yen (accounting for 19.5%). In total, China (including Hong Kong) contributed nearly 42% of Japan’s aquatic exports, serving as the "revenue pillar" for Japanese aquatic products.

• Role: China was not only a consumer market but also a key processing hub — Japanese aquatic raw materials were deep-processed in China, then supplied to the domestic market or re-exported to Southeast Asia, Europe, and the US.

2. Compliance Thresholds: Both Registration and Dual Certificates Are Indispensable

• Threshold 1: Processing Facility Registration. Japanese enterprises must complete overseas production enterprise registration with China Customs, submit documents on factory layout, production processes, and quality control systems, and meet China’s food safety standards.

• Threshold 2: Submission of Dual Certificates. Each batch of exports requires two documents: ① A radioactive substance testing certificate issued by Japan (meeting China’s standards); ② A certificate of origin (enabling traceability). Japan has optimized the process, shortening the certificate issuance time to 3-5 working days.

3. Short-Term Difficulty: Scallops Temporarily Unavailable Due to Unlisted Category

• Core Issue: Scallops have not yet been included in the catalog of Japanese aquatic products for import in China Customs’ import management system. Even if enterprises complete registration and prepare certificates, they cannot proceed with customs declaration.

• Background: Scallops are a high-value category for Japan’s exports to China, with export value exceeding 12 billion yen in 2022. The Japan Seafood Trade Association has been in communication with Chinese authorities to promote the inclusion of scallops in the catalog.

4. Outlook: Gradual Progress, Long-Term Opportunities Ahead

• Short-Term: Categories already in the catalog with rapid registration progress (e.g., mackerel, capelin) will be the first to resume supply; scallops and other categories await regulatory alignment.

• Long-Term: Japanese enterprises need to adapt to new requirements in the Chinese market (e.g., traceability transparency, safety labeling); the Chinese market will gain more high-end aquatic supply, and trade is expected to return to pre-ban levels within 1-2 years.