On September 22, the General Administration of Customs announced on its official website the phytosanitary requirements for importing fresh blueberries from Zimbabwe, permitting the import of Zimbabwean fresh blueberries that meet the relevant standards.
 
  In June this year, China announced it would implement a zero-tariff policy on 100% of tariff lines for 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations. Zimbabwean blueberries will also receive zero-tariff treatment. Zimbabwe began small-scale blueberry cultivation in 2008 and achieved its first blueberry export in 2017. The blueberry season runs from April to October, with 60% of the crop harvested between August and October, complementing the domestic blueberry season. Since 2018, Zimbabwe's blueberry exports have increased tenfold, with primary markets including the EU, the UK, and the Middle East.
 
  The notice stipulates that blueberry orchards, packing facilities, and quarantine treatment facilities exporting to China must be reviewed by Zimbabwean authorities and approved for registration by Chinese authorities. The registration list shall be provided by Zimbabwe to China prior to each export season.
 
  Quancy pests of quarantine concern include Mediterranean fruit fly, mango fruit fly, African tortoise scale, long-tailed mealybug, and dark mealybug. During packaging, blueberries must undergo sorting, grading, and removal of insects, mites, rotten fruit, branches, leaves, roots, and soil to ensure they are free from quarantine pests of concern to China. Packaged blueberries requiring storage must be immediately placed in separate storage to prevent re-infestation by pests.
 
  Blueberries destined for China must undergo cold treatment or fumigation under the supervision of Tianjin authorities or their authorized personnel to eliminate fruit flies. Cold treatment shall comply with the Pre-Export Cold Treatment Operating Procedures or the In-Transit Cold Treatment Operating Procedures, along with supplementary requirements for in-transit cold treatment implemented by third countries en route. Cold treatment indicators must meet either of the following conditions: 1. 11°C or below (fruit flesh temperature) for a continuous period of 15 days or more; 1. 67°C or below (fruit pulp temperature) for a continuous treatment period of 17 days or longer; or 2. 22°C or below (fruit pulp temperature) for a continuous treatment period of 21 days or longer.
 
  Blueberries exported to China by air shall undergo methyl bromide fumigation treatment by authorized personnel of the Port of Tianjin prior to shipment. Fumigation parameters are as follows: At temperatures above 21.1°C, the fumigant dosage is 32 g/m³, with fumigation under normal pressure lasting no less than 2 hours. During fumigation, the minimum concentration must not fall below 26 g/m³ after 0.5 hours and must not fall below 16 g/m³ after 2 hours.