Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormPowder
Industry PositionFood Ingredient (Dairy Protein)
Market
Casein in China is primarily an industrial food-manufacturing ingredient governed by national food-safety specifications for casein (GB 31638-2016), which defines acid, enzyme and membrane-separation casein types. China’s large dairy processing base is concentrated in northern/northeastern milk-supply regions, supporting domestic dairy-ingredient production where present, while imports under HS 3501 remain relevant for industrial users. For imports, the most decisive market-access gate is China Customs (GACC) overseas-producer registration and correct marking/filing; noncompliance can block customs clearance. From June 1, 2026, China’s updated GACC Decree No. 280 takes effect, creating transition risk for exporters relying on Decree No. 248 workflows.
Market RoleImport-dependent processor market (imports and domestic production; net-import orientation for specialized dairy ingredients)
Domestic RoleFunctional dairy protein ingredient used by domestic food and nutrition manufacturing; also used as an input for caseinate production where applicable.
Market GrowthNot Mentioned
Specification
Primary VarietyFood-grade casein (GB 31638-2016 scope: acid, enzymatic, membrane-separation casein)
Secondary Variety- Edible acid casein
- Edible rennet casein
- Edible caseinate (e.g., sodium/calcium/ammonium caseinate)
Physical Attributes- GB 31638-2016 describes casein as a dry, uniform powder; color ranges from milky white to milky yellow; free of visible foreign matter.
Compositional Metrics- Conformity is typically assessed against applicable GB requirements for casein type (e.g., protein/fat/moisture/ash and other food-safety indicators as specified by the standard).
Grades- Food-grade casein conforming to GB 31638-2016 (China market baseline for edible casein).
- Industrial/non-food grades may exist in trade classification but require clear end-use and compliance alignment at import declaration.
Packaging- For foods exported to China, the overseas producer registration number (GACC) or an approved competent-authority registration number must be marked on inner and outer packaging (per GACC Decree 248 requirements).
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Skimmed milk/dairy raw material → casein precipitation (acid or enzyme) or membrane separation → washing/filtration → drying → milling/sieving → packaging → export logistics → China customs declaration & inspection/quarantine as applicable → importer warehousing (dry) → industrial use in food/nutrition manufacturing
Temperature- Typically ambient logistics; quality protection focuses on keeping product dry and avoiding heat/humidity exposure during port and warehouse handling.
Atmosphere Control- Moisture control is a primary handling need (sealed liners, dry containers, humidity-managed storage) to prevent caking and quality deterioration.
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighFailure to meet China Customs (GACC) overseas-producer registration requirements (including correct registration pathway/category and required registration-number marking) can block customs declaration and entry for food-grade casein shipments.Confirm the product’s GACC category pathway with the importer/competent authority, keep registrations current (including during the Decree 248 → Decree 280 transition), and verify that the correct registration number is marked on both inner and outer packaging and is consistently declared in customs filings.
Regulatory Transition MediumChina’s GACC Decree No. 280 takes effect on June 1, 2026 and replaces the Decree 248 framework, creating transition risk (process/catalog changes, documentary expectations) for exporters shipping around the changeover.Audit current registrations and monitor GACC/embassy guidance on Decree 280 implementation; avoid shipment windows where registration status or pathway is ambiguous.
Food Safety MediumDairy-protein ingredients can face heightened scrutiny in China due to historical adulteration events (melamine contamination in 2008), increasing the risk of intensified buyer QA requirements and potential customs/market surveillance attention if documentation or testing is weak.Use robust supplier approval, batch-level CoA consistency, and third-party verification for key safety parameters aligned to applicable GB standards; maintain full traceability from milk input to finished casein lot.
Logistics MediumPort delays, documentation discrepancies, or moisture exposure during sea freight/warehousing can lead to customs holds or quality defects (caking/off-odors), causing rejection or rework costs even when the product is shelf-stable.Run pre-shipment document cross-checks (batch/date/label/CoA) and specify dry, sealed packaging with moisture controls; align importer clearance readiness before vessel arrival.
Labor & Social- Food fraud/adulteration sensitivity in dairy proteins remains a reputational and compliance theme in China due to the widely documented 2008 melamine contamination crisis; importers may require enhanced QA, traceability, and third-party testing for protein ingredients.
FAQ
What is the single biggest China-specific blocker risk when exporting food-grade casein to China?Noncompliance with China Customs (GACC) overseas-producer registration and related marking/filing requirements can stop a shipment at customs. Exporters should confirm the correct registration pathway for the product category, keep registrations current (especially ahead of the June 1, 2026 switch to Decree No. 280), and ensure the required registration number is correctly marked on inner and outer packaging and consistently declared.
Which China national standard is the key specification reference for casein sold or used as food in China?GB 31638-2016 (National Food Safety Standard — Casein) is the core national standard reference for casein in China’s food context. It explicitly covers acid casein, enzymatic casein, and membrane separation casein.
What casein product types are recognized in international food standard practice that can help align buyer specifications?Codex CXS 290-1995 provides an international standard for edible casein products, including edible acid casein, edible rennet casein, and edible caseinate. Many buyers use Codex-aligned definitions and quality expectations as a baseline when writing contracts and incoming-spec checks.