The Chinese General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) announced on September 2 that vessels originating or stopping in areas affected by the Zika virus will be required to undergo additional measures to ensure the containers are free of mosquitos. Companies using containers or carriers that are subject to the regulation must present documentation that demonstrates the use of either physical barriers to mosquitos or chemical methods, such as fumigation.

Currently, Florida is the only U.S. state affected by the virus that would fall under the new AQSIQ regulation, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That means only vessels originating or stopping over in Florida must provide this documentation.

The regulation allows for some flexibility for exporters. Only the vessel or container must have documentation rather than the product itself, and the documentation does not need to be issued by the government.

Also, refrigerated carriers kept at or below 59 degrees Fahrenheit are exempt.

For more information, contact Beth Hughes, IDFA director of international affairs, at bhughes@idfa.org.