China’s cross-border e-commerce market for imported health products is entering a tighter compliance phase, with major platforms strengthening entry, brand-authentication, and bonded-warehouse requirements for dietary supplements and related health product categories.

Platforms including Tmall Global, Douyin Global Purchase, JD Worldwide, Pinduoduo, Xiaohongshu, Youzan, and Weidian are increasing documentation requirements for cross-border merchants, with greater focus on eliminating “fake foreign brands” and improving full-chain traceability.

For Tmall Global, merchants generally need to operate through an overseas, Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan entity, provide business registration documents, legal representative identification, and an overseas corporate bank account. Brands must use an overseas registered trademark, and agency-brand authorization chains should typically be no more than three levels. Additional documentation may include overseas factory video evidence, overseas offline store sales proof, CNAS/CMA testing reports, GMP or TGA certification, certificate of origin, and free sale certificate.

Douyin Global Purchase has similar requirements, including review of both an overseas business entity and a domestic joint-liability entity. Brands must use overseas registered trademarks, provide clear authorization chains, and may need to submit certificates of origin, free sale certificates, GMP/TGA certification, third-party testing reports, overseas retail sales proof, sales records from the past year, and Chinese labeling with warnings and unsuitable-consumer groups.

Bonded-warehouse requirements are also becoming more stringent. Products must be included on China’s CBEC positive list, complete customs filing in advance, and provide documentation such as certificate of origin, free sale certificate, batch customs declaration documents, inspection/quarantine materials, and Chinese labels. Some platforms may also require overseas manufacturers to obtain a China Customs registration number before products can enter bonded warehouses after June 1, 2026.

What this means for the dietary supplement industry

For dietary supplement and nutrition brands using China’s CBEC channel, the trend is clear: platforms are moving beyond basic storefront access toward deeper verification of brand authenticity, manufacturer credibility, overseas sales history, production site legitimacy, testing, and import-chain traceability.

This may benefit established overseas brands with genuine manufacturing, retail presence, third-party testing, and strong documentation. However, brands relying on weak authorization chains, limited proof of overseas sales, unclear manufacturing arrangements, or “foreign brand” positioning without solid supporting documents may face greater challenges entering or remaining on major platforms.

Companies selling health products into China through CBEC should review their full compliance package, including corporate structure, trademark ownership, authorization chain, factory certifications, certificates of origin, free sale certificates, testing reports, Chinese label language, bonded-warehouse requirements, and customs registration status.

China’s CBEC health product channel remains open, but platform compliance expectations are becoming more demanding. Brands that can demonstrate authentic overseas origin, strong quality systems, and full-chain traceability will be better positioned as China continues tightening oversight of imported health products. (Source: m.51w2c.com & HPA-Global)