Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Dried common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in China is supported by domestic production and supplemented by imports for specific grades and supply gaps. Demand is primarily for household cooking and food manufacturing. Imports must clear General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) inspection/quarantine and applicable food-safety compliance requirements.
Market RoleMajor producer with mixed trade position (both importer and exporter depending on bean type/grade and year)
Domestic RoleFood staple legume for retail and food manufacturing use; procurement focuses on stable quality and pest-free storage suitability
Market Growth
SeasonalitySeasonal harvest with year-round market availability supported by dried storage; quality risk rises when moisture control and pest management are weak.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Uniform size and color are commonly used acceptance cues in bulk and retail channels.
- Low foreign matter and low insect damage are critical for acceptance and storage performance.
Compositional Metrics- Moisture control is a core specification driver to reduce mold risk and storage losses.
Grades- Grade definitions are typically buyer- or contract-specific (size/defect/foreign matter thresholds).
Packaging- Bulk: woven polypropylene (PP) bags commonly used for shipment and warehousing
- Retail: small consumer packs (weight and label format vary by channel)
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Farm/collection → cleaning & sorting → drying/conditioning → bagging → warehouse storage → inland transport/port → GACC import inspection/quarantine → wholesaler/processor → retail/foodservice
Temperature- Ambient distribution is typical; storage emphasis is on dry, cool conditions to limit moisture uptake and insect activity.
Shelf Life- Shelf life is generally long when moisture is controlled; major degradation modes are insect infestation, mold from moisture ingress, and quality loss from poor handling.
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Sps Food Safety HighGACC inspection/quarantine non-compliance (e.g., live insects/quarantine pests, contamination findings, or documentation mismatch) can lead to port holds, treatment, return, or destruction, disrupting supply and adding demurrage and rework costs.Run pre-shipment pest-control and cleaning controls; verify documentation line-by-line against the China importer checklist; use pre-export testing/COAs for key safety parameters requested by the buyer.
Regulatory Change MediumChina’s import compliance requirements (including GACC registration scope and inspection intensity) can change or be applied more strictly, creating shipment delays if exporters and importers are not aligned on the latest requirements.Monitor GACC notices and WTO SPS/TBT notifications relevant to pulses/legumes; confirm importer’s current compliance checklist before booking.
Logistics MediumOcean freight volatility and port congestion can raise landed cost and extend lead times for bulk legumes, increasing stockout risk and financing costs.Use diversified ports/forwarders, build buffer inventory for critical customers, and consider freight contract/booking strategies during peak seasons.
Labor & Social- For exports from China into jurisdictions with forced-labor laws (notably the United States), buyers may require region-level traceability and due diligence documentation; sensitivity is higher when origin or upstream processing is linked to Xinjiang in customer risk frameworks.
FAQ
What documents are commonly required to import dried common beans into China?Common documents include a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading/air waybill, a phytosanitary certificate (when required for plant quarantine clearance), and a certificate of origin. Importers may also require GACC overseas manufacturer registration/filing information where applicable.
What is the biggest risk that can block or severely disrupt shipments of dried beans into China?The main blocker is failing GACC inspection/quarantine or food-safety compliance, such as findings of live insects/quarantine pests, contamination concerns, or documentation mismatches, which can trigger port holds and, in severe cases, return or destruction.
Sources
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) — FAOSTAT — Crops and livestock products: dry beans / pulses (China)
International Trade Centre (ITC) — ITC Trade Map — China trade flows for dried legumes (HS 0713) and related subheadings
General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC) — GACC Decree 248/249 — Imported food safety administration and overseas manufacturer registration
General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC) — GACC — Import inspection and quarantine framework for plant products (including quarantine certification and port inspection)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) — Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) — enforcement and importer due diligence expectations