When people talk about exporting raw cashew kernels to China, most articles online focus on paperwork, customs procedures, and theory.

For people who are just starting, the common questions are usually:

• Is exporting raw cashew kernels to China difficult?
• Do I need special registration or certifications?

And for those who have already been in the industry for years, the questions become different:

• How can shipment move consistently and smoothly?
• How can we reduce customs clearance risks?
• How can we avoid delays at border gates?

After more than 7 years exporting officially to China, we would like to share some practical experiences from rail shipments, real mistakes, real lessons, and real relationships built over time. So in this article, we want to share something more practical. Hopefully, this gives you a clearer picture of how the market actually works – beyond the documents and formalities.

 

 

 

 

1. Why Chinese buyers imports raw cashew kernels instead of roasted cashews?

Before 2023, Chinese buyers mainly imported roasted salted cashews with skin from Vietnam. At that time, the import tax for roasted cashews was 0%, and the market was extremely active through border dates such as Mong Cai and Lang Son.

However, from 2023 onward, China adjusted its policies. The government started encouraging domestic roasting and processing instead of importing ready-roasted products from Vietnam. As a result:

• Roasted cashews became subject to around 13% import tax
• Raw cashew kernels remained at 0% import tax

Because of this difference, many Chinese buyers quickly shifted from purchasing finished roasted products to importing raw kernels for local processing inside China. Some buyers even built roasting workshops near border areas and requested Vietnamese suppliers to support:

• Roasting technology transfer
• Production know-how 
• Machinery consultation
• Processing guidance

During that period, Dong Phu also worked closely with several Chinese partners by sharing practical roasting experience while continuing stable cooperation.

 

The most popular raw cashew grades for China

From our experience, the most requested grades are: A180, A210, A240 and A320. During certain periods, buyers also search for A160 and A170. However, these larger sizes are much more limited in availability. 

Overall, the raw cashew kernels business for the Chinese market continues to offer many opportunities for exporters and manufacturers. To export successfully into this market, there are still several important requirements and things to pay attention to.

 

Exporting to China: What really matters

Many people think exporting is mainly about documents. Actually, documents are only one part. The real challenge is operational stability. Chinese buyers usually check products very carefully before long-term cooperation. They pay close attention to: Moisture consistency, broken ratio, uniformity of color, oil smell, etc. Sometimes the difference between keeping or losing a customer is only a small quality inconsistency between two containers. That is why stable production matters far more than “beautiful samples”.

 

2. GACC registration: The mandatory requirement

If you want to export officially to China, your company must have a valid GACC registration code.

GACC stands for: General Administration of Customs of China. This registration code is required for overseas food manufacturers exporting to China under China’s import regulations. It helps with food safety control and product traceability.

In simple terms, the GACC code means:

• It is a mandatory requirement for official customs clearance into China.
• It helps Chinese customs manage food safety and trace product origin.
• It increases buyer confidence and commercial credibility
• Each approved company receives a unique registration number, usually valid for 5 years

In practice, GACC registration is normally issued to manufacturing factories rather than trading companies or brokers. So if you are trading company but still want to participate in the business, the common approach is to cooperate with a qualified manufacturer that already has a valid GACC approval.

 

How to check whether a GACC code is still valid

The easiest way is to verify it directly on the official Chinese customs website. Our GACC code for your reference:

• CVNM22012304030191 -> Roasted salted cashew export registration
• CVNM12012401240099 -> White cashew kernels and raw cashew kernels export registration

 

Step 1: Access the Chinese customs website: https://ciferquery.singlewindow.cn/

Step 2: Enter the GACC code into  ” CHINA REG. NO.”

Step 3: Check the ” EXP. DATE” to see whether the registration is still valid or expired. If expired, the manufacturer must renew the registration before exporting again.

 

 

 

3. Finding a logistics partner and container loading

In many cases, Chinese buyers prefer arranging their own transportation partners to collect goods directly from the factory. After the container is fully loaded, the driver usually confirm the shipment with photos and loading records. Once everything is verified, the remaining payment is processed according to the agreement.

In reality, transportation is often one of the simpler parts of the process as long as communication is clear between both sides. For reference, a standard 40ft container can load around 31 tons of cashew products depending on packaging and product type.

 

Why road transport is so popular for China shipments

Our factory is located in Binh Phuoc, Vietnam – relatively convenient for cross-border trade routes toward China. For raw cashew kernels, road transportation is extremely common because:

• Faster transit time
• Lower logistics costs compared to saw freight in many cases
• Flexible delivery schedules
• Easier coordination for urgent shipments
• Suitable for border-gate trading operations

Many containers move through border areas every day. For this market, road transport is not “unusual”. It is actually one of the most practical solutions.

 

4. Essential export documents

To export raw cashew kernels smoothly, you usually need to prepare:

• Customs declaration
• Comercial invoice
• Packing list
• Certificate of Origin (CO) if required
• Phytosanitary Certificate
• Bill of Lading
• Correct GACC information and consignee details printed on packaging ( please see below)

 

Depending on the buyer, there may also be additional document requirements. Preparing documents correctly from the beginning can help reduce custom risks, inspection delays, and clearance issues.

 

 

One very important point: Correct packaging information is mandatory when exporting to China. Incorrect product information or labeling can create unnecessary customs problems later.

 

5. Payment terms and important notes

When working with international buyers, payment terms should always be handled carefully and professionally. One practical lesson we learned over the years is that exporters should always pay close attention to logistics timelines, product storage conditions, and payment agreements, especially for agricultural products.

Cashew kernels are sensitive products. Long transportation delays or improper storage condition can affect product quality significantly.

That is why it is important to:

• Keep agreement clear from the beginning
• Confirm payment terms in writing
• Use official company-to company bank transfers
• Avoid unclear arrangements outside official accounting procedures.

For official exports with customs declarations, payments should normally transferred from the buyer’s company account to the exporter’s company account  to ensure accounting and customs compliance. If you are new to cross-border trade, learning from experienced exporters can help avoid many unnecessary risks.

 

6. The most important thing: Don’t just sell products. Understand the market and your customers.

Many exporters think: ” As long as I have products, I can sell them.” OR “If my price is lower, I will win”

In reality, the Chinese market moves very fast:

• Buyers compare many suppliers
• They are highly price-sensitive.
• And competitive is very active.

Low pries may bring customers once. Consistency is what keeps them.That is why long-term business success is not only about having products available. In agriculture, trust is built slowly, container by container.

 

7. Finding a reliable cashew manufacturer already gives you a huge advantage.

In Binh Phuoc alone, there are hundreds of cashew processing companies. However, the number of manufacturers with proper export qualifications and stable systems is much smaller. Before choosing a supplier, buyers should always evaluate carefully.  A reliable manufacturer should:

• Be transparent about product quality
• Deliver products consistent with agreed specifications
• Recheck products before shipment
• Support export documents fully and on time
• Take responsibility and solve issues directly when problems arise.

After many years in agriculture and export business, we understand one thing very clearly: Keeping customers is much harder than finding new ones. If you are looking for a stable source of raw cashew kernels or a partner who understand the export process, we are always open to honest discussions and long-term cooperation.

 

Dong Phu Cashew. We work in agriculture the way people in the industry truly understand it. Simple. Honest. Long-term focused.

Hotline: +84 985 706 499 (Mr. Dong)

Email: dongphufood@gmail.com

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