Chinese labeling requirements for imported goods by category: food under GB 7718, cosmetics under GACC No. 61 of 2026, health products, bonded-zone labeling and e-commerce e-labels. Subject to official publications.
Chinese labeling is one of the most overlooked and most punishable compliance points for imported goods. What looks like a small sticker can cost a shipment its release — or trigger an administrative penalty. Real cases exist: a label with foreign text larger than the Chinese text was penalized, and an English ingredient list without Chinese counterparts was penalized too. Labeling is not a formality; it is a legal requirement.
This guide lays out Chinese labeling requirements by category: why they exist, what food, cosmetics and health products must carry, how e-commerce e-labels work, and how bonded-zone labeling services help. Policy is subject to official publications from the National Health Commission, GACC and market regulators.
Why Imported Goods Need Chinese Labels
Chinese labels exist for consumer information. Imported packaging is mostly in foreign languages, so the Chinese label translates and mandates key facts — name, ingredients, origin, shelf life. For food, cosmetics and health products that are eaten or applied to skin, supervision is strict; for general industrial goods it is lighter, but Chinese name, specification and origin are still required.
The supervision model has changed. Imported prepackaged food labels moved from a filing system to customs inspection (GACC Announcement No. 70 of 2019): companies no longer file labels with customs in advance, and customs reviews them at inspection instead. One less filing step, but label accuracy is not relaxed — a non-compliant label still blocks release.
Chinese Labeling Requirements by Category
Food follows GB 7718. Imported prepackaged food may use Chinese and foreign text together, but foreign characters cannot be larger than the corresponding Chinese (except trademarks); mandatory items must be complete, and an added Chinese label on the original packaging is allowed (GB 7718-2011 current, GB 7718-2025 published). The new Q&A requires imported food to show the overseas producer's registration number in China, and makes allergen labeling of eight categories mandatory rather than recommended. The added label must match the goods — net content, shelf life and ingredient list are all mandatory.
Cosmetics follow registration and filing numbers. Imported cosmetics must hold a special-cosmetics registration number or an ordinary-cosmetics filing number; GACC Announcement No. 61 of 2026 requires declaration as a "consignee in China" with the registration or filing number properly filled in, cancels consignee filing for imported cosmetics, and moves inspection from the port to the destination of declaration. Shanghai has piloted e-labels for imported cosmetics since May 11, 2026 — electronic labeling may simplify physical labels, but the pilot rules still apply. Health products follow the registration and filing measures, with the registration or filing number and health function on the label, and no disease prevention or treatment claims.
| Category | Main Basis | Core Label Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Prepackaged food | GB 7718 | Chinese no smaller than foreign, net content/shelf life/ingredients complete |
| Cosmetics | Announcement No. 61 of 2026 | Registration/filing number, Shanghai e-label pilot |
| Health products | Registration & filing measures | Number, health function, no disease claims |
| Appliances/electronics | CCC requirements | CCC mark, Chinese nameplate and parameters |
| General industrial goods | Product quality law | Chinese name, specification, origin, producer |
How Bonded-Zone Labeling Services Help
The bonded zone's value is "label first, comply, then sell." Goods enter the zone under bond, and labeling, repacking and other value-added work happen inside before release on orders. For food needing an added Chinese label, or appliances needing Chinese manuals and nameplates, this puts labeling inside the supply chain instead of waiting until goods reach the destination port.
Yunxiu provides Chinese label application, kitting and repacking in its Shanghai bonded warehouse (4,170m²), plus a 1,000m² temperature-controlled facility for cosmetics and food. Cross-border e-commerce follows a different logic: under Shang Cai Fa Fa (2018) No. 486, cross-border retail import goods do not require the same physical Chinese label as general trade, but the e-commerce site must display the Chinese e-label and risk notice prominently — sellers make the label information complete on the page, not on the package. To check a specific category, see the bonded value-added services labeling notes, or cross-check cosmetics rules with our cosmetics import regulation overview; for help, contact us. Fees subject to actual quotation. A wrong name, classification or price stalls any shipment — common customs declaration mistakes shows how to avoid them before you file.
Must the Chinese label be stuck on the package? It can be added on. GB 7718 allows an added Chinese label on the original packaging; content must be complete, true and consistent, and foreign text cannot exceed Chinese in size. A non-compliant label is blocked at customs inspection.
What changed for cosmetics Chinese labels? GACC Announcement No. 61 of 2026 cancels consignee filing for imported cosmetics and moves inspection to the declared destination. Shanghai has piloted e-labels since May 11, 2026; the pilot rules apply.
Do cross-border e-commerce imports need physical Chinese labels? Under current rules, no, but the e-commerce site must show the Chinese e-label and risk notice prominently. This is labeling on the page, not on the package.
What must a health product label carry? The registration or filing number, the health function, and no disease prevention or treatment claims, under the registration and filing measures.
What is the difference between bonded-zone and port labeling? Bonded-zone labeling happens after entry and before release, with ample time and batch processing; port labeling is constrained by clearance timing. Bonded work also supports kitting and repacking.
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This article was written by the Yunxiu Supply Chain Research Center. Policy content subject to official NHC, GACC and market regulator publications. Data updated to 2026.
