The tank’s history relates to shipment preparation
For bulk edible vegetable oil to China, it is not enough to collect only a commercial invoice and product details.
It is necessary to establish in advance which tank is used, who confirms its suitability, and what information the importer will receive.
The basis of this analysis is the announcement of the General Administration of Customs of the PRC No. 147 dated July 15, 2025.
It applies to imported bulk edible vegetable oils.
The preparation of transportation evidence is analyzed below; this is not a complete list of requirements for product and manufacturer market access.
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Separate single-use and reusable containers
The announcement separately considers single-use containers, including flexitanks, and non-single-use transport containers.
For the former, materials suitable for food contact, use within the expiration date, and a ban on reuse are provided.
For the latter, during import declaration, the Chinese importer or agent provides a list of cargoes from at least the three previous voyages.
Do not mechanically transfer the voyage history requirement to a single-use liner.
But a new liner by itself does not answer all questions about the container system and further transportation.
The request must correspond to the actual equipment and its role.
Compile an evidence map for the importer
The table helps to organize the preparation; the final set is specified for a specific shipment.
| Object | What to find out | Who to request from |
|---|---|---|
| Oil | Exact name and purpose | Manufacturer |
| Tank | Type, identifier, suitability | Transport operator |
| Reusable tank | History of previous cargoes | Carrier via operator |
| Single-use tank | Material, period, and fact of single use | System supplier |
| Chinese leg | Who receives and organizes further movement | Importer |
Link each response to the shipment and the primary document.
A general reference without equipment identification may not explain the history of the actually used tank.
Do not substitute a cleaning document for a history check
The cleanliness of the tank and the admissibility of the previous cargo are different issues.
The mentioned announcement refers to Codex requirements for previously transported cargoes and equipment.
A specialized participant must verify their applicability according to current lists; the coordinator does not draw a safety conclusion based on the file name.
If a change of vehicle or tank is to take place on the Chinese leg, the importer must separately confirm the applicable local requirements and participants.
Do not consider the international set an automatic permit for any subsequent road leg.
Obtain confirmation of applicability before shipment
Ask the importer to verify the current procedure for the product, tank, and route, including changes after the announcement’s publication.
Record the date, source, and remaining questions.
A similar announcement number without a year may refer to a different product.
It is convenient to carry out the technical preparation of the system together with the oil transportation card in a flexitank.
The manager receives two separate results: agreed equipment and confirmed readiness of information for the importer.
Neither of them is a guarantee of customs release.
A practical management guide.
Examples are illustrative.
Check requirements and contractual terms for the specific product, country and shipment.
Internal forms do not replace official procedures.
Sources checked on 25 October 2026.
