Exporting Seeds from Pakistan to China — GACC Registration and Market Access
Quick Answer
Pakistani seed exporters shipping to China must register with China's General Administration of Customs (GACC) — 177 Pakistani companies are already registered for food/feed export. Sesame seed is the dominant seed export to China, surging 87 percent to USD 68.56 million in Jan-Sep 2025. Phytosanitary certificates are issued via PSW and must meet Chinese import standards.
| Sesame seed surge | Pakistan's sesame exports to China rose 87% YoY to USD 68.56M in Jan-Sep 2025, with volume up 132% to 55.61 million kg |
|---|---|
| GACC registration | 177 Pakistani companies are GACC-registered for food and feed exports — this is mandatory for any Pakistani exporter shipping agricultural products to China |
| China's demand | China imports approximately 1.5 million tonnes of sesame seed annually — Pakistan holds about 19% of China's sesame import value, second after Niger |
| Quality specifications | Sesame seed: minimum 50% oil content, minimum 99% purity, moisture below 6%, no off-flavour — Chinese buyers enforce these specs strictly |
| Phytosanitary certificate | DPP phytosanitary certificate via PSW, with additional declarations as required by GACC — China has specific pest-risk requirements for seed imports |
Pakistani seed exporters shipping to China must register with China's General Administration of Customs (GACC) — 177 Pakistani companies are already registered, and sesame seed, the dominant commodity, surged 87% to USD 68.56 million in January to September 2025. Phytosanitary certificates are issued through the Pakistan Single Window (PSW), and Chinese buyers enforce strict quality specifications that every exporter needs to meet before booking a shipment. This post covers registration, quality benchmarks, phytosanitary documentation, FTA benefits, and shipping routes to Chinese ports.
How fast is Pakistan's seed export to China growing?
Pakistan's sesame exports to China rose 87% year on year to USD 68.56 million in the first nine months of 2025, with volume up 132% to 55.61 million kilograms from 23.95 million kilograms in the same period of 2024. The average price fell from USD 1.52 to USD 1.23 per kilogram as volume expanded, but total value still climbed because volume gains outpaced the price decline.
| Metric | Jan-Sep 2024 | Jan-Sep 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Export value | USD 36.59 million | USD 68.56 million | +87% |
| Export volume | 23.95 million kg | 55.61 million kg | +132% |
| Average price per kg | USD 1.52 | USD 1.23 | -19% |
This growth builds on a multi-year trend: full-year 2023 exports had already surged 126% to over USD 290 million. For the full sesame-specific story, see our companion post on sesame seed export to China.
What is GACC registration, and how do exporters obtain it?
GACC registration is mandatory for any foreign exporter shipping food or feed products to a Chinese importer. The process runs through Pakistan's Department of Plant Protection (DPP), which nominates the exporter to GACC. The registration covers the exporter's processing facility, quality management system, and traceability records. Once approved, Chinese importers can only buy from GACC-listed foreign exporters.
As of September 5, 2024, China replaced the old 11-digit registration number with a new 18-digit format. Exporters who had not migrated needed to re-register to keep shipping. 177 Pakistani companies are now registered for food and feed exports. Exporters typically also carry TDAP registration alongside ISO and HACCP certification, since both GACC and Chinese buyers expect documented quality systems. The process takes several months, so plan ahead of your first shipment.
How big is China's sesame import market?
China imports approximately 1.5 million tonnes of sesame seed annually while producing only about 320,000 tonnes domestically, making it the world's largest sesame-importing nation. Pakistan holds about 19% of China's sesame import value, second after Niger. Pakistan's 55,000-tonne volume over three quarters of 2025 is still a small share of total Chinese demand — African suppliers have traditionally covered more than half of what China buys. The 87% growth rate shows Pakistan gaining ground quickly, and geographic proximity plus CPFTA tariff advantages give it structural advantages over African competitors on freight cost and delivery time.
What quality specifications do Chinese buyers enforce?
Chinese buyers enforce specifications strictly. For sesame seed, the typical contract specification requires:
| Specification | Chinese buyer target |
|---|---|
| Oil content | 50% minimum |
| Purity | 99% minimum |
| Moisture | 6% maximum |
| Admixture | 2% maximum |
| Off-flavour | Zero |
| Aflatoxin | Within Chinese limits |
Buyers often send their own detailed specifications as part of the purchase contract, and these may be stricter than the regulatory minimum. Pre-shipment testing at an accredited laboratory is strongly recommended — a single rejected consignment can damage a buyer relationship built over months. Sesame should be machine-cleaned, color-sorted, and packed in new single-use bags with Chinese-compliant labelling. For exporters unfamiliar with international seed-quality testing protocols, our guide to Pakistan's seed export certification requirements covers ISTA testing, FSC&RD certification, and how test results tie to export documentation.
How does the phytosanitary certificate process work for China-bound seed?
Every seed consignment to China requires a DPP phytosanitary certificate confirming the seed lot is free of regulated pests and diseases. This certificate is issued through PSW: the exporter files a Single Declaration, and PSW generates the DPP export certificate request automatically. Our guide to obtaining a phytosanitary certificate through PSW covers the full process step by step.
China has specific pest-risk requirements for seed imports, and the phytosanitary certificate must include any additional declarations required by GACC for the seed type and origin. The export goods declaration filed through PSW must match the phytosanitary certificate's commodity name, quantity, and treatment details exactly — a mismatch at the Chinese port can delay clearance or trigger rejection.
What seeds beyond sesame can Pakistan export to China?
Sesame dominates Pakistani seed exports to China by value and volume. Beyond sesame, Pakistan exports small volumes of rice seed, vegetable seed, and forage seed varieties such as alfalfa. The China market for Pakistani agricultural seed is developing — China's own seed industry is self-sufficient in most crops, so Pakistani exports are in commodities where Pakistan has a cost or quality advantage. Sesame has proven Pakistan can compete and gain share rapidly, rising from a small base to 19% of China's import value in under three years. For a broader view across all markets, see our complete seed export guide.
Pakistan's private seed sector has grown from 291 registered companies in 2000 to roughly 750 today, with a domestic market valued at around USD 300 million. That production infrastructure is the foundation exporters rely on. See our guide to Pakistan's seed production and export certification path for FSC&RD registration and ISTA testing requirements.
Does the CPFTA reduce costs for seed exporters?
The China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA Phase II, effective January 2020) provides preferential tariff access on many agricultural products. Chinese importers pay reduced or zero duty on CPFTA-qualifying Pakistani goods, making Pakistani seed more price-competitive against other origins. The exporter must provide a certificate of origin (Form P) issued through TDAP or a designated chamber of commerce. The applicable CPFTA rate depends on the seed's HS code — some agricultural seeds already enter China at zero duty, while others see phased reductions. Confirm the rate for your HS code before quoting prices. See our FTA agricultural trade guide for a broader overview of Pakistan's FTA benefits.
Which shipping routes serve China from Pakistani ports?
Seed exports ship from Karachi Port or Port Qasim. Typical transit times to major Chinese destination ports:
| Chinese port | Region served | Typical transit |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Eastern China, Yangtze Delta | 14-18 days |
| Qingdao | Northern China, Shandong | 16-20 days |
| Tianjin (Xingang) | Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei | 17-22 days |
| Guangzhou (Nansha) | Southern China, Pearl Delta | 12-16 days |
Phytosanitary and fumigation certificates must remain valid through the transit time plus any port-storage buffer — an expired certificate at the destination creates a compliance gap that Chinese customs will flag. Our freight forwarding service handles container booking, bill of lading, and customs clearance at both ends. For documentation comparisons across export destinations, see our shipping guide covering Pakistan to USA trade lanes.
What should a seed exporter check before shipping to China?
- Confirm GACC registration is current under the 18-digit format introduced in September 2024 — unregistered exporters cannot sell to Chinese importers.
- Test oil content (50% or more), purity (99% or more), and moisture (6% or below) at an accredited laboratory before committing a shipment.
- Obtain a DPP phytosanitary certificate through PSW with any GACC-required additional declarations, and confirm the export GD matches the certificate exactly.
- Provide a Form P certificate of origin so your Chinese buyer can claim the CPFTA tariff preference.
- Pack seed in new single-use bags, machine-cleaned and color-sorted, with Chinese-compliant labelling.
- Plan freight lead time to match the buyer's delivery window, keeping certificate validity in mind for the full transit period.
Olympic Agencies has cleared agricultural cargo, seeds, fertilizer, and agricultural machinery at Karachi Port and Port Qasim since 1982. We coordinate GACC-aligned documentation, DPP phytosanitary certification, PSW export GD filing, and containerised freight to Chinese ports under our freight forwarding service. Send us your seed type, expected volume, and buyer details on WhatsApp and we will handle the clearance.
Exporting seed to China? Confirm GACC registration, prepare quality specs, and get phytosanitary documentation in order before contracting with a Chinese buyer.
WhatsApp us your shipment details →Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register as a seed exporter with GACC for shipping to China?+
GACC registration for food and feed exporters is processed through Pakistan's DPP or relevant authority, which nominates exporters to GACC. The registration covers the exporter's processing facility, quality management system, and traceability records. Once registered, GACC publishes the exporter's name in its online registry — Chinese importers can only buy from GACC-registered foreign exporters. The process takes several months, so plan well ahead of your intended first shipment. 177 Pakistani companies are already registered, indicating a well-established registration pathway.
What quality specifications does China require for imported sesame seed?+
Chinese buyers typically require: minimum 50 percent oil content, minimum 99 percent purity, maximum 6 percent moisture, maximum 2 percent admixture, and zero off-flavour. Aflatoxin limits apply — China enforces strict mycotoxin standards on imported food commodities. The sesame seed should be machine-cleaned, color-sorted, and packed in new single-use bags. Chinese buyers often send their own quality specifications as part of the purchase contract, which may be stricter than the regulatory minimum. Pre-shipment testing at an accredited laboratory is recommended.
What seeds beyond sesame can Pakistan export to China?+
Sesame dominates Pakistani seed exports to China by value and volume. Beyond sesame, Pakistan exports small volumes of rice seed, vegetable seed, and forage seed varieties to China. The China market for Pakistani agricultural seed is developing — China's own seed industry is large and self-sufficient in most crops, so Pakistani seed exports to China are primarily in commodities where Pakistan has a production-cost or quality advantage. Sesame seed has the clearest growth trajectory, with Pakistan's market share rising from a small base to 19 percent of China's import value in under three years.
Does the China-Pakistan FTA reduce costs for seed exporters?+
The China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA Phase II, effective January 2020) provides preferential tariff access on many agricultural products. For Pakistani seed exporters, the benefit is at the Chinese import end — Chinese importers pay reduced or zero duty on CPFTA-qualifying Pakistani goods, which makes Pakistani seed more price-competitive against other origins. The exporter needs to provide a certificate of origin (Form P) to enable the Chinese importer to claim the preference. Confirm the applicable CPFTA rate for your seed's HS code before quoting prices.
Olympic Agencies
Clearing agricultural cargo - seeds, fertilizers, and machinery - at Karachi Port and Port Qasim since 1982. Members of PIFFA and the Chamber of Commerce.
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