Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Dried lentils in China are primarily supplied through imports for retail and food ingredient use, with market access driven by China Customs (GACC) import registration and inspection/quarantine compliance. Trade data sources such as UN Comtrade and ITC Trade Map are commonly used to validate China’s import reliance for lentils under HS 0713.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer market (net importer)
Domestic RoleImported pulse category consumed domestically and used by packers/food manufacturers; domestic production presence not confirmed in this record
Market GrowthNot Mentioned
SeasonalityYear-round availability supported by storage and staggered import arrivals rather than local harvest seasonality.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Key acceptance factors typically include cleanliness (foreign matter), sound kernels (damage/insects), and uniform color/size within the declared type; validate against buyer specifications used for China-bound lots.
Packaging- Common trade formats often include bulk bags for import distribution and downstream repacking into consumer packs; confirm packaging format by channel (bulk vs. retail) and importer requirements.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Origin cleaning/grading (and splitting where applicable) → containerized sea freight to China port → GACC inspection/quarantine & customs clearance → bonded/non-bonded warehousing → domestic bulk distribution and/or repacking → retail/foodservice/food manufacturing channels
Temperature- Ambient logistics with emphasis on dry storage to prevent moisture uptake and quality loss
Shelf Life- Shelf life is generally long when kept dry; main quality risks are moisture, mold risk in humid conditions, and insect infestation during storage
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Regulatory Blocker HighNoncompliance with China Customs (GACC) imported food regulatory controls—especially overseas manufacturer registration applicability (Decree 248) and import/export food safety management expectations (Decree 249)—can block entry (holds/refusal) for dried lentil shipments.Before contracting, confirm GACC Decree 248 registration applicability for the specific product/HS classification and ensure the exporter/manufacturer is properly registered where required; run a pre-shipment document/spec alignment checklist with the China importer and retain inspection-ready traceability records.
Food Safety and Quarantine MediumBorder inspection/quarantine findings (e.g., pest presence, quality defects, or contaminant/residue nonconformance) can trigger delays, additional actions, or rejection at China entry points.Implement pre-shipment quality and contaminant controls aligned to the importer’s China entry risk profile; use third-party inspection where commercially justified and maintain lot-level COAs and cleaning/infestation-control records.
Logistics MediumOcean freight volatility, port congestion, and inland distribution cost swings can materially change landed cost and delivery reliability for containerized dried lentil shipments into China.Use flexible shipment planning (buffer lead time, alternate ports when feasible) and contract clauses that clarify freight surcharge handling; consider staged arrivals to reduce inventory and quality exposure in humid seasons.
FAQ
What is China’s market role for dried lentils?China is best characterized as an import-dependent consumer market for dried lentils; import reliance can be validated using trade flow data for lentils under HS 0713.
What is the main compliance risk that can block dried lentil shipments from entering China?The most critical blocker is noncompliance with China Customs (GACC) imported food controls—especially overseas manufacturer registration expectations under Decree 248 and import/export food safety management expectations under Decree 249—which can lead to holds or refusal at entry.
How are dried lentils typically handled in China after import?They are commonly cleared through China Customs, warehoused, then distributed in bulk to domestic packers or ingredient channels; consumer-pack repacking and downstream sorting/splitting may occur locally depending on channel needs.
Sources
General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC) — Decree 248 — Registration and Administration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food
General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC) — Decree 249 — Administrative Measures for Import and Export Food Safety
United Nations Statistics Division (UN Comtrade) — UN Comtrade database — trade flows for pulses including lentils (HS 0713) for China