Canned Tuna Supplier
for China
Top Tide Canning is a Thailand-based B2B canned tuna manufacturer supplying China importers, supermarket chains, and cross-border e-commerce operators. We produce FSSC 22000-certified skipjack, yellowfin, and albacore tuna for Hema Fresh, CR Vanguard, Sam Club by Walmart, JD.com, and Tmall Global — CIF Shanghai Pudong and Tianjin with full GACC registration and GB 2733-compliant documentation.
China: 1.4 Billion Consumers — GACC Registration, GB 2733, Mandarin Labels, and New Retail Channels
China is the world largest food import market — and also one of the most regulated. GACC registration is a hard border requirement, GB 2733 sets the product standard for canned fish, and GB 7718 mandates Mandarin-language labels. Hema Fresh, CR Vanguard, Sam Club, JD.com, and Tmall Global are the primary retail channels.
Hema Fresh, CR Vanguard, Sam Club, JD.com, and Tmall Global
China new retail is dominated by Alibaba Hema Fresh (350+ stores), CR Vanguard (China Resources), Sam Club by Walmart (47 membership warehouses), JD.com food category, and Tmall Global cross-border e-commerce. All four channels are active importers of premium canned tuna and actively qualify overseas suppliers for private label and branded import listings.
- Alibaba Hema Fresh — 350+ stores
- Sam Club Walmart — 47 membership warehouses
- CR Vanguard (China Resources)
- JD.com / Tmall Global CBEC
General Administration of Customs China — Overseas Producer Registration Required
All food importers into China must source from a GACC (General Administration of Customs of China) registered overseas food producer. GACC registration for seafood manufacturers (previously managed by CIFER/AQSIQ) is a hard regulatory requirement — shipments from unregistered facilities are rejected at the border. Top Tide Canning holds GACC overseas food producer registration for canned fish.
- GACC registration — hard requirement
- Rejection at border if unregistered
- CIFER/AQSIQ legacy registration recognised
- GB 2733 product standard applies
GB 7718 Mandarin Label Mandatory — Cross-Border E-Commerce CBEC Channel
China GB 7718 Prepackaged Food Labelling Standard requires a Mandarin-language label on all retail food — product name, ingredient list, allergen declaration, NRV% nutrition facts per 100g, country of origin in Chinese, net weight, best-before date, and China importer address. Tmall Global and JD Worldwide CBEC channels have separate labelling rules — Mandarin backed label required.
- GB 7718 — Mandarin label mandatory
- NRV% nutrition per 100g required
- CBEC channel — backed label accepted
- China importer address required
Six China Compliance Requirements — GACC Registration, GB 2733, GB 7718 Mandarin Label, FSSC 22000, Dolphin-Safe IMMP+EII, and ISO 17025 CoA
China import compliance is governed by GACC. GACC overseas producer registration is a hard border requirement — unregistered facilities are rejected. GB 2733 sets product standards, GB 7718 mandates Mandarin labels, and FSSC 22000 is required by Hema Fresh, CR Vanguard, and Sam Club.
All overseas food manufacturers exporting to China must hold a GACC (General Administration of Customs) registration. Seafood and canned fish registrations were previously issued under CIFER/AQSIQ and are recognised under current GACC rules. Shipments from unregistered facilities are rejected at the border. Top Tide Canning holds GACC registration for canned fish production.
GACC registration number provided on all shipping documents and label artwork. Confirm registration currency with your China customs broker.
GB 2733 (Fresh and Frozen Fish and Fishery Products) sets China mandatory standard for canned fish imports — heavy metal limits (mercury, lead, cadmium), histamine limits, microbiological parameters, and species classification. Product specification sheets and ISO 17025 CoA are required to demonstrate GB 2733 compliance at CIQ inspection.
Top Tide Canning provides GB 2733-referenced product specification sheet and ISO 17025 CoA per batch. Confirm current GB 2733 amendment status with your China importer prior to shipment.
China GB 7718 (General Standard for Labelling of Prepackaged Food) requires a Mandarin-language label on all retail food products: product name in Chinese, ingredient list, allergen declaration, NRV% nutrition facts per 100g, country of origin in Chinese, net weight in metric, best-before date, and China importer name and address. A backed Mandarin label affixed over the original is accepted for imports. Top Tide Canning provides Mandarin label design and GB 7718 pre-check.
Tmall Global and JD Worldwide CBEC channel have separate label rules — confirm CBEC label format with your China platform operator.
FSSC 22000 (GFSI-recognised) is required by Hema Fresh, CR Vanguard, and Sam Club China for supplier qualification. Top Tide Canning holds a current FSSC 22000 certificate covering canned fish manufacturing. BRC (BRCGS) is an accepted alternative for most China retail buyers.
Full certificate and most recent third-party audit summary available on request for buyer qualification.
Dolphin-Safe IMMP and EII certification is required by Sam Club, Hema Fresh, and major CBEC platform importers. China social media consumer pressure has elevated Dolphin-Safe awareness significantly in premium retail. Top Tide Canning holds both IMMP and EII certification with batch-level vessel declaration documentation available on request.
IMMP and EII certificates and batch-level vessel declarations available with each shipment on request.
Top Tide Canning provides an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited CoA per production batch covering mercury, lead, cadmium, histamine, and microbiological parameters — formatted to address GB 2733 and CIQ inspection scope for canned tuna from Thailand. Included with all China shipping documentation packages.
CoA per batch; included with shipping docs. GB 2733 heavy metal and histamine limits apply — confirm current standards with your China customs broker.
Four China Buyer Channels — Hema Fresh New Retail, Sam Club Membership, Cross-Border E-Commerce, and Traditional Supermarket
China retail spans Alibaba Hema Fresh new retail, Sam Club premium membership warehouses, JD.com and Tmall Global CBEC e-commerce, and mainstream supermarket chains (CR Vanguard, Carrefour China). Each channel has distinct GACC, label, and certification requirements.
How to Import Canned Tuna into China — Six Steps from Factory to Hema Fresh and Sam Club Shelf
China import process is governed by GACC. GACC overseas producer registration must be in place before any shipment. Mandarin label GB 7718 artwork must be pre-approved. CIQ inspection at the port applies to new Thai exporters. Transit from Thailand to Shanghai is 12–18 days.
| Origin | Agreement | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand | MFN (verify FTA with broker) | ~7–12% |
| ASEAN FTA | ACFTA (check eligibility) | Reduced — verify with broker |
| Food VAT | China VAT Law | 9% food VAT |
Current HS classification and applicable FTA rate should be confirmed with a licensed China customs broker prior to each shipment. ACFTA eligibility for canned fish from Thailand requires Form D certificate of origin.
Six Canned Tuna Formats for China — Hema Fresh Premium, JD.com Gift Box, Sam Club Bulk, Food Service, Albacore Premium, and Halal
From 140g Hema Fresh premium retail through Sam Club Member Mark bulk, JD.com CBEC gift packs, HoReCa A10 institutional, and premium albacore for Xiaohongshu — each format is matched to its China channel. All formats GACC-registered, GB 2733-compliant, CIF Shanghai Pudong, Tianjin, or Guangzhou.
140g–185g Premium Retail Can — Hema Fresh & Sam Club
Premium retail can for Hema Fresh and Sam Club China. GB 7718-compliant Mandarin label — product name in Chinese, NRV% nutrition facts, Thai-guo country of origin, and China importer address. GACC registration number on-pack. BPA-NI tin lining available. Dolphin-Safe IMMP + EII certified. Pull-tab easy-open lid standard.
- 140g / 185g pull-tab tin
- GB 7718 Mandarin label
- GACC number on-pack
- BPA-NI available
6-Pack Gift Box — JD.com, Tmall Global & CBEC
Six-can gift box (140g × 6) in premium outer carton for JD.com, Tmall Global, and Pinduoduo gifting season sales (Chinese New Year, Mid-Autumn). CBEC channel — backed Mandarin label accepted. Skipjack in brine, oil, or albacore in EVOO variants. Dolphin-Safe IMMP. Outer carton Mandarin-language content declaration required.
- 140g × 6 premium gift box
- CBEC backed label accepted
- CNY / Mid-Autumn gifting
- JD.com / Tmall Global
425g Bulk Can — Sam Club Member Mark & CR Vanguard
Large format 425g–453g can for Sam Club Member Mark private label and CR Vanguard own-brand programmes. GB 7718 Mandarin label required. BPA-NI tin lining. FSSC 22000 and Dolphin-Safe IMMP + EII for Sam Club qualification. Skipjack in brine or oil — buyer spec matched. GS1 China barcode registration available.
- 425g / 453g bulk can
- Sam Club Member Mark
- CR Vanguard own-brand
- GS1 China barcode available
1.7kg A10 Institutional Can — Hotel, Restaurant & Catering
Standard A10 tin for China hotel-restaurant-catering (HoReCa) segment and food service distributors (Sysco China, local distributors). Skipjack or yellowfin in brine. 6 × 1.7kg outer carton with Mandarin carton label. GACC registration on carton label. Batch CoA and allergen declaration as standard. Consistent fill weight for kitchen portioning.
- 1.7kg A10 institutional can
- Mandarin carton label
- GACC registration on-pack
- HoReCa / Sysco China
Solid Albacore in EVOO — Hema Fresh Premium & Xiaohongshu
Solid-pack albacore in extra-virgin olive oil for Hema Fresh premium import shelf and Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) e-commerce listings. 120g–150g pull-tab tin. Dolphin-Safe IMMP certified. Premium outer packaging with English and Mandarin bilingual label. Supports China growing premium imported food consumer segment driven by Xiaohongshu lifestyle content.
- 120g–150g pull-tab
- Solid albacore in EVOO
- Hema Fresh / Xiaohongshu
- Dolphin-Safe IMMP certified
MUI Halal — China Muslim & Halal Food Channel
MUI Halal-certified skipjack and yellowfin tuna for China Muslim consumer market (Xinjiang, Ningxia, Gansu) and halal food specialty distributors in Shanghai and Beijing. China halal food market is a growing B2B channel for GACC-registered importers with established halal distributor networks. MUI Halal is broadly recognised by China halal certification bodies.
- MUI Halal certified
- China Muslim market distribution
- Halal logo on Mandarin label
- Xinjiang / Ningxia / Gansu distribution
China Canned Tuna Import — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from China importers, Hema Fresh category buyers, Sam Club procurement, and CBEC operators about GACC registration, GB 2733, Mandarin labelling, import tariff, CBEC channel, and retail qualification.
Is GACC registration required to export canned tuna to China?
Yes — GACC (General Administration of Customs China) registration is a hard border requirement for all overseas food manufacturers exporting to China. Shipments from facilities without a valid GACC registration number are rejected at the Chinese border. Top Tide Canning holds GACC registration for canned fish production. The GACC registration number is included on all commercial invoices, packing lists, and Mandarin label artwork for China-bound shipments.
What does GB 2733 require for canned fish imported into China?
GB 2733 (Fresh and Frozen Fish and Fishery Products) sets China mandatory product standard for canned fish — mercury limit 0.5 mg/kg, lead 0.5 mg/kg, cadmium 0.1 mg/kg, histamine limit (species-dependent), and microbiological parameters (Salmonella, Listeria). An ISO/IEC 17025-accredited CoA demonstrating compliance with these parameters is required for CIQ inspection. Top Tide Canning provides a GB 2733-referenced product specification sheet and ISO 17025 CoA per production batch.
What labelling is required for canned tuna sold in China?
China GB 7718 requires a Mandarin-language label on all retail prepackaged food: product name in Chinese, complete ingredient list, allergen declaration, NRV% nutrition facts per 100g, country of origin in Chinese (Thai-guo for Thailand), net weight in metric, best-before date, and China importer/distributor name and address. A backed Mandarin label affixed to the original product packaging is accepted for most import channels. Top Tide Canning provides Mandarin label design and GB 7718 pre-check as part of our China export service.
What import tariff applies to canned tuna entering China from Thailand?
China MFN tariff on canned tuna (HS 1604.14) is approximately 7–12% depending on species and pack form. Thailand-origin tuna may benefit from a reduced rate under ACFTA (ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement) — a Form D Certificate of Origin (issued by Thai customs) is required to claim ACFTA preference. Current tariff rates and HS classification should be confirmed with a licensed China customs broker. China food VAT of 9% also applies.
Can Top Tide Canning supply Hema Fresh or Sam Club China directly?
Top Tide Canning can support supply to Hema Fresh and Sam Club China through your China-registered importer or distributor. Both retailers require supplier qualification documents including: GACC registration, FSSC 22000 certificate, GB 2733-compliant CoA, Dolphin-Safe IMMP + EII, Mandarin label artwork, and GS1 China barcode. We provide the full documentation package. Contact us to begin the qualification process.
How does cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) work for canned tuna in China?
China CBEC channels (Tmall Global, JD Worldwide, Pinduoduo) allow overseas suppliers to sell to China consumers through bonded warehouse or direct shipping (direct mail) models. CBEC has lower initial compliance requirements — GACC registration still required, but backed Mandarin label accepted. CBEC orders are subject to China customs duties at reduced CBEC tariff rates for qualifying products. Bonded warehouse model in Shanghai free trade zone enables faster domestic delivery.
What is the minimum order quantity for China?
Minimum order is typically one 20ft container (approximately 20–22 MT net product). For Hema Fresh or Sam Club private label trials, smaller pilot volumes may be discussed. Please contact us for a CIF Shanghai Pudong, Tianjin, or Guangzhou Nansha quotation including GACC documentation package, GB 2733 CoA, Mandarin label artwork, and Dolphin-Safe IMMP + EII certificates.
Is Halal certification required for China?
Halal certification is not generally required for mainstream China retail. However, for supply to China Muslim-majority market segments (Xinjiang, Ningxia, Gansu provinces) and halal specialty distributors in Shanghai and Beijing, MUI Halal is broadly recognised. Top Tide Canning holds MUI Halal certification and can supply dedicated halal production lots with Arabic and Chinese Halal logo on the Mandarin label.
Top Tide Canning China Capabilities — GACC, GB 2733, Hema Fresh, Sam Club, JD.com, Tmall Global, and Cross-Border E-Commerce
Every certification, document, and product format China buyers need — GACC overseas producer registration, GB 2733 CoA, Mandarin label design, Hema Fresh and Sam Club qualification documentation, CBEC package, and CIF pricing to Shanghai, Tianjin, or Guangzhou.
Explore Other Top Tide Canning Export Markets
Top Tide Canning supplies canned tuna across East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific. Explore our dedicated market pages for country-specific regulatory, retail, and logistics information.
Request a Quote for China
Tell us your channel — Hema Fresh new retail, Sam Club Member Mark, JD.com or Tmall Global CBEC, CR Vanguard supermarket, or food service. We respond within one business day with CIF Shanghai Pudong or Tianjin pricing, GB 7718 Mandarin label artwork, GACC documentation, Dolphin-Safe IMMP + EII certificates, FSSC 22000 certification, and ISO 17025 CoA.
Get a China Quote →