Apply for a China Food Operation License or pre-packaged food filing before selling, serving, storing, importing or distributing food in China — with business scope review, premises readiness, employee health certificate check, food safety documents and Market Supervision Administration application support.
Tell us your business model, city and premises status. Our team will assess whether you need a Food Operation License, Food Production License or pre-packaged food filing, and respond within one business day.
A China Food Operation License lets a company operate food-related business activities in China, such as food sales, catering, distribution or certain online food sales.
Asomerit helps you choose the right route — Food Operation License, Food Production License or pre-packaged food filing — and prepare the business scope, premises file, employee health certificates, food safety documents and local SAMR / AMR submission package.
Food business operators in China generally fall into three approval categories — Food Operation License, Food Production License, or pre-packaged food filing. The right route depends on what you actually do with food and how you sell it.
Food licensing matters across very different business models. The premises, paperwork and inspection focus vary based on what you sell, how you sell it and where you operate.
For restaurants, cafés, delivery kitchens, bars, bakeries, canteens or central kitchen operators preparing to serve food in China.
For supermarkets, grocery stores, wholesalers, importers, distributors or specialty food sellers.
For businesses selling food through websites, marketplaces, mini-programs, delivery platforms or private traffic channels.
For WFOEs or foreign founders that need to align company registration, business scope, premises and food license application before opening.
AMR onsite inspection is often the most under-prepared step. We review the common issues before submission so you can rectify before the authority visits — not after.
Address and lease support the intended food operation.
Business scope matches food sales, catering or distribution.
Food handling, storage and cleaning areas are properly arranged.
Staff health certificates and food safety roles are prepared.
Food safety management documents are ready.
Common onsite inspection issues are discussed before submission, so you can rectify before the AMR visit.
The right registration route depends on your company status, business scope, product category, customs workflow and export rebate plan.
| Requirement | What to prepare |
|---|---|
| China company status | Whether the WFOE / company is already registered, in progress or still being planned. |
| Business license scope | Whether the scope includes import/export of goods, technology import/export or agency import/export. |
| Corporate bank account | Whether the company has an active RMB account and foreign exchange handling route. |
| Product category | Goods to be imported or exported, including regulated categories such as food, cosmetics, medical, chemicals or dual-use items. |
| HS code | HS code if available; otherwise product description, material, use and technical specification. |
| Customs contact / operator | Internal staff, customs broker or external operator responsible for declarations. |
| Export VAT rebate plan | Whether the business expects to apply for export VAT rebate. |
| First shipment timeline | Target date, port, supplier/customer countries and whether urgent clearance is expected. |
We review the company first, then coordinate customs, Electronic Port, foreign exchange and export rebate readiness before shipment planning.
Confirm whether the business license includes goods import/export, technology import/export or agency import/export. If not, amend the business scope before trade registration starts.
Register the company with China Customs as a consignee / consignor and obtain the customs registration record needed for declarations.
Apply for China Electronic Port access so the company can use customs, inspection, foreign exchange and declaration-related systems.
Coordinate foreign exchange handling with the bank so the company can settle cross-border trade payments.
If the business exports goods, prepare the tax, invoice, bookkeeping and customs documentation workflow needed for export VAT rebate.
The final output is a business prepared for food operations under the correct approval route — not just a certificate.
License, filing or approval route based on the actual food business model.
Food sales, catering, distribution or other approved items reflected according to the local application.
Document set prepared for Market Supervision Administration review and future compliance checks.
Clear notes on renewal timing, location changes, ownership changes and business scope updates.
We do not publish a one-size-fits-all price because the route depends on company status, business scope, product category, bank readiness and whether regulated goods or VAT rebate planning are involved.
For companies already registered in China that need to add import/export capability — including business scope amendment if the existing scope does not cover trade activities.
For foreign investors who still need to register a China company before starting import/export.
For food, cosmetics, medical products, chemicals, dangerous goods, dual-use items or other controlled goods.
Below are anonymized samples related to Food Operation License or food filing support. Company names, license numbers, addresses, QR codes and sensitive details are masked.
Anonymized China Food Operation License sample.
Anonymized China pre-packaged food filing sample.
Anonymized food safety document / checklist sample.
Anonymized premises or inspection-related document sample.
Food businesses need to keep licence validity, operating address, food safety documents, staff health certificates and daily compliance records aligned after approval.
Food Operation License is generally valid for 5 years and should be renewed before expiry.
Changes in business location, ownership, business scope or operation model may require update or re-application.
Staff health certificates, supplier documents, storage records, labelling and inspection readiness should be maintained.
“We needed to secure a Food Operation License in Beijing and get a Work Visa for our head chef from Mexico City. Asomerit Consulting handled everything to open my Mexican restaurant. They helped review all my documents and navigated the chef's visa application flawlessly. We opened on time with our full team.”
Use these guides to understand the WFOE setup and import/export workflow that often connects with food business planning.
Food WFOE setup is often the first step before applying for Food Operation License or related filings.
Read guide →Food import / distributionUseful for food importers and distributors who need customs, Electronic Port and foreign exchange setup.
Read guide →Start with cost planning, company profile review, a setup consultation and our current download library while we prepare a dedicated Food Operation License checklist.
Use this as a starting point for China entity, address, staffing, licence and compliance cost planning.
Estimate setup costs →Review Asomerit's company setup, banking, visa, accounting and compliance service capabilities.
Open PDF →Tell us your food business model and we will assess whether the correct path is licence, filing or production approval.
Start consultation →Browse Asomerit's current company setup, compliance and market-entry downloads.
Open downloads →You have questions, and Asomerit has answers. If we don't cover all your confusions, just let us know.
A China Food Operation License is an approval that allows a company to legally carry out food-related business activities such as food sales, catering services, food distribution, online food sales or certain food operation management activities in China. It is issued by the local Market Supervision Administration, often referred to as SAMR or AMR at the local level.
Restaurants, cafés, catering operators, food retailers, distributors, certain online food sellers and foreign-invested food businesses may need a Food Operation License depending on their business model, food category, premises and local AMR review.
If you only sell pre-packaged food, a pre-packaged food filing may be enough in many cases, but this still depends on the local Market Supervision Administration, sales channel and actual operation model. It should be checked before launch.
A Food Operation License generally applies to food sales, catering, distribution and certain food operation activities. A Food Production License is normally required for food manufacturing, processing or production enterprises. Production and sales can require different approval routes.
Usually the company entity, business scope and premises need to be aligned before the food licence or filing route can be completed. If the WFOE is still being set up, the food licence route should be planned during company registration rather than after opening.
The business scope should normally cover the relevant food activity, such as food sales, catering services, food distribution, online food sales or other approved food business items. If the current scope does not fit, a scope amendment may be needed.
Typical materials include business license information, legal representative ID, premises proof, lease or property documents, employee health certificates where required, food safety management documents, layout or facility information and the local AMR application forms.
For many food operation routes, especially catering, restaurant, food handling or non-pre-packaged food activities, the local AMR may arrange an onsite inspection. Common inspection issues should be discussed before submission so the business can rectify them before the AMR visit.
The review window commonly depends on city, business model, document readiness and whether onsite inspection or rectification is required. A typical planning range after submission is around 10 to 20 business days, but complex cases can take longer.
A Food Operation License is generally valid for 5 years. Renewal should be planned before expiry, and changes in business location, ownership, business scope or operation model may require update, change registration or re-application.
From business scope review and premises readiness to employee health certificates, food safety documents, AMR submission, onsite inspection preparation and renewal planning — Asomerit helps foreign-invested food businesses obtain the right approval route before opening.
