Market
Dried licorice root (Gan Cao) in China is a major medicinal-herb raw material used widely across traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) manufacturing and also traded internationally as an herbal ingredient. Product identity and quality are commonly anchored to pharmacopeial monographs that reference Glycyrrhiza species used as licorice. Market access is strongly influenced by buyer specifications for active-marker assays (e.g., glycyrrhizic acid/glycyrrhizin) and contaminant controls (pesticide residues, heavy metals, microbes). Sustainability and legality of collection (wild vs. cultivated) can affect sourcing strategies and traceability expectations for China-origin supply.
Market RoleMajor producer and exporter; large domestic consumption market
Domestic RoleWidely used input for TCM decoction pieces and herbal-extract manufacturing, with additional use as a flavoring ingredient in food applications depending on buyer specifications
Market GrowthNot Mentioned
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighNon-compliance with destination pharmacopeial/buyer specifications (e.g., assay/identity failures or exceedances in pesticide residues, heavy metals, microbial limits, or sulfur dioxide residues where applicable) can trigger border detention, rejection, or product recalls for China-origin dried licorice root shipments.Contract to a destination-aligned COA panel (assay + contaminants), implement lot-level traceability, and run pre-shipment third-party testing against the importer’s exact specification before booking export.
Authenticity MediumBotanical identity and adulteration/substitution risks can cause buyer rejection or regulatory action, especially in medicinal channels where monograph alignment and species identity are scrutinized.Use documented botanical identification procedures, maintain retain samples per lot, and adopt identity testing (as required by the buyer) alongside robust supplier qualification.
Sustainability MediumSustainability and legality concerns linked to wild collection can disrupt sourcing continuity and increase audit burden if suppliers cannot demonstrate compliant collection practices and traceability.Prefer cultivated and documented supply where possible; align collection practices to recognized GACP guidance and maintain origin and collection documentation.
Logistics MediumSea-freight delays and humidity exposure can increase quality risk (moisture uptake, mold, odor contamination) for dried licorice root shipments and create disputes over outturn quality.Specify moisture limits, use moisture-barrier packaging, consider desiccants where appropriate, and apply container loading/stuffing controls with photo documentation and seal integrity checks.
Sustainability- Wild collection pressure and ecosystem impacts in arid/semi-arid origin areas can drive tighter sourcing controls and stronger traceability expectations for China-origin licorice root.
- Land and water constraints in arid production zones can increase supply variability and raise the value of cultivated, well-documented supply chains.
Labor & Social- Responsible harvesting/collection practices and documented supplier labor compliance are increasingly requested in buyer audits for medicinal botanicals, particularly where wild collection is involved.
Standards- WHO GACP (Good Agricultural and Collection Practices) for medicinal plants
- GMP (where the supply chain includes further processing such as cutting, sterilization, or extraction for medicinal/nutraceutical channels)
- HACCP or ISO 22000 (for food-ingredient pathways, where applicable)
FAQ
What are the most common reasons China-origin dried licorice root shipments get delayed or rejected at import?The most common triggers are specification non-compliance: failed assay/identity checks versus the buyer or destination pharmacopeia, or contaminant exceedances such as pesticide residues, heavy metals, microbial limits, and sometimes sulfur dioxide residues where relevant. Document or labeling mismatches against the importer’s requirements can also lead to holds and sampling.
Which documents are commonly requested for importing dried licorice root from China?A buyer-aligned Certificate of Analysis (COA) is commonly required, alongside standard trade documents like a commercial invoice and packing list. Importers often request a certificate of origin, and a phytosanitary certificate may be required depending on the importing country’s rules for dried plant materials.
How should dried licorice root be packed and handled to reduce quality loss during sea freight?Use moisture-protective packaging with clear lot/batch labeling, and keep shipments dry through good container loading practices and humidity control. Because shelf life is moisture-sensitive, preventing moisture uptake and mold during delays is a key handling priority.