American ginseng (file photo). (Source: hinews.cn)

Recently, Yangpu Customs, administered by Haikou Customs, oversaw the successful import of 40 tons of American ginseng for food purposes, marking the first such import under a new classification management policy for functional food substances. The move signals fresh advancement for Hainan in facilitating the import trade of such substances and promoting the open development of the health industry.

To further support the development of the import trade in functional food substances, China's General Customs Administration, National Health Commission, and other departments jointly issued the "Announcement on the Pilot Implementation of Classification Management Measures for Imported Food and Drug Substances" in December 2025, which implements classification-based management for 30 types of substances.

According to the measures, substances that meet the criteria can be imported for non-medicinal purposes without submitting a "Import Drug Clearance Document," thereby simplifying the import process and further facilitating trade.

Hainan's first import of substances under the new pilot policy was carried out by Hainan Shenhe Fangji Health Co., Ltd., registered in the Haikou National High-tech Zone. To expedite the policy's implementation, the zone has actively engaged with customs, health agencies, and other organizations to provide policy interpretation and services to enterprises, helping them to navigate the import process through early demand assessments and precise guidance on declarations.

"Eligible American ginseng can now be imported as food without needing to apply for an 'Import Drug Clearance Document,' saving time and operational costs, and enabling enterprises to respond more quickly to market demands," said Jiang Huiguang, General Manager of Hainan Shenhe Fangji Health Co., Ltd.

Industry insiders have hailed the completion of this inaugural transaction, noting that it marks new ground in the Hainan Free Trade Port's efforts to innovate in trade regulation and institutional integration. As the relevant facilitation measures continue to advance, enterprises will be able to participate in international trade more efficiently, further stimulating market vitality.