ASIACOMMERCE - More distributors and retailers in Malaysia and the Philippines want to import food from China, from packaged snacks to noodles, sauces, and festive treats.
Chinese snacks and flavours keep gaining fans, especially among younger shoppers.
However, food is one of the most regulated product groups you can bring across a border.
In Malaysia, one more question decides whether many customers will buy at all: is it halal?
Short answer: Yes, you can import food from China for your business in Malaysia or the Philippines.
For Malaysia, choose halal-ready products certified by bodies that JAKIM recognises, and meet local food and label rules before shipping.
Why Do Businesses Import Food from China?
Trade between China and Southeast Asia keeps growing.
China-ASEAN trade reached 5.95 trillion yuan in the first eight months of 2026, up 20.6% year on year, The Star reported, citing China's customs data.
The upgraded China-ASEAN free trade agreement was signed in Kuala Lumpur in October 2025.
According to the same report, China is working with ASEAN members to bring it into force early.
For buyers who import food from China, this growing trade brings wider choice and more factories that already ship to the region.
Popular groups include packaged snacks, instant noodles, sauces and condiments, dried goods, and festive sweets.
Many retailers that import food from China also use private label packaging to build their own snack line.
What Does Halal-Ready Mean When You Import Food from China for Malaysia?
A halal-ready product is one that can support a valid halal claim in Malaysia.
That usually means three things.
First, the ingredients and production process meet halal requirements.
Second, the halal certificate comes from a foreign body that JAKIM recognises.
Third, the label and documents match the certificate exactly.
Recognition is not permanent, and that point often surprises buyers.
In February 2025, JAKIM revoked its recognition of a China-based halal body and barred its certified products, The Star reported.
Later, in September 2025, bodies from China were among those still waiting for JAKIM recognition, The Sun reported.
So when you import food from China for Malaysia, the certifier behind each product matters as much as the product itself.
What Applies When You Import Food from China to the Philippines?
In the Philippines, the Food and Drug Administration regulates processed food.
Imported processed food generally needs product registration before sale, based on regulations at the time of writing.
Labels also need clear product names, ingredients, net contents, and date marks.
Halal is not required for every product in the Philippines, but it helps in Mindanao and with Muslim customers.
Therefore, if you import food from China with a halal-ready approach, one product range can serve both markets.
Which Food Products Suit Retail and Distribution?
The table below shows common groups and what usually matters most, without cost figures.
| Food group | Typical buyers | What usually matters most |
|---|---|---|
| Packaged snacks and sweets | Minimarts, online shops, snack stores | Shelf life, halal status, and labels |
| Instant noodles and sauces | Distributors and grocery chains | Ingredients, halal status, and date marks |
| Dried goods and seasonings | Restaurants and wholesalers | Storage, moisture control, and packaging |
| Festive treats | Retailers and corporate gift buyers | Delivery timing and gift packaging |
Because each group faces different checks, product choice and compliance should be decided together.
When Should You Order Food for Chinese New Year and Ramadan 2027?
Timing is tight this season.
Chinese New Year falls on 6 February 2027, while Ramadan is expected to begin around 8 February 2027, SAYS reported.
Both seasons lift demand for snacks, sweets, and gift packs.
At the same time, many Chinese factories slow down or pause around the New Year holiday.
As a result, food orders confirmed in November and December usually decide whether festive stock arrives on time.
How AsiaCommerce Helps You Import Food from China
Bringing food into Malaysia or the Philippines properly involves halal documents, food rules, labels, and several parties.
If one document is wrong, authorities can hold the goods while shelf life runs down.
AsiaCommerce, experienced in export and import since 2016, runs the procurement so you can focus on selling.
Our team helps you import food from China by sourcing suitable factories, checking the goods, and coordinating official import in line with regulations.
Our article on what to check in a Chinese packaged food factory covers the factory side in more detail.
Here is how it works:
- Send us the product link or your product requirements.
- Receive a full cost breakdown up to delivery, including shipping, duties, and import taxes.
- Make your payment.
- Our team purchases and checks the goods, then imports them officially in line with regulations.
- The goods arrive at your business address.
You can also learn more about our import procurement solution.
Chat with Our Team on WhatsApp About Your Food Order
FAQ: Import Food from China
Can food from China be sold in Malaysia if it is halal-certified in China?
Only if the certificate comes from a foreign halal body that JAKIM recognises.
Recognition can change, so the certifier needs confirming for each order.
Do I need halal certification to import food from China to the Philippines?
Halal is not required for every product in the Philippines.
Still, many processed foods need FDA registration and proper labels before sale.
Which Chinese food products sell well in retail?
Packaged snacks, instant noodles, sauces, and festive sweets are common choices.
The right mix depends on your customers and the season.
Can I sell Chinese snacks under my own brand?
Yes, some factories offer private label packaging for retailers and distributors.
Your labels must still meet food rules in your country.
How early should I order for festive seasons?
For Chinese New Year and Ramadan 2027, orders confirmed in November and December are safer.
Factory holidays and shipping time leave little room later.
AsiaCommerce is a China sourcing and procurement partner for businesses in the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
AsiaCommerce: Cross-Border Supply Chain Enabler for Southeast Asia