Basic information
Outline of the system
Import licences are required for import of frozen or chilled meat and poultry. Import licences are issued by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department under delegation from the Trade and Industry Department.
Product coverage
The import licensing system covers the importation of frozen or chilled meat and poultry. The meat includes beef, mutton, pork, veal or lamb, and the offal of any animal from which such meat is derived. The poultry includes the carcass of a domestic fowl, duck, goose or turkey or any part of such a carcass, and any part of a bird mentioned above which is edible or used in the preparation of food.
Nature of licensing
Automatic
If Automatic, administrative purpose
Non-Automatic
If Non-Automatic, description of the notified Non-Automatic Licensing regime
Products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
The principal objective of the import licensing system is not to restrict the quantity or value of imports, but for public health and food safety.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
Not applicable as the import control system is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports.
The system applies to products originating from which country?
The import licensing system applies to products coming from any places.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
The import licensing system is an on-going requirement.
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
The import licensing system is a statutory requirement maintained under the Import and Export (General) Regulations (Cap.60A) and Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60).
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
The legislation does not leave designation of product to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion.
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
Any changes to the import licensing system require legislative approval.
Eligibility of applicants
Is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation?
A company is required to be registered with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department under the Registration Scheme for Food Importers and Food Distributors before it can apply for an import licence.
What persons or firms are eligible to apply for a licence?
Registration is open to all business enterprises.
Is there a registration fee?
The registration fee is HK$195 for three years.
Is there a published list of authorized importers?
There is a published list of registered importers.
Contact point for information on eligibility
Ministry/Authority
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
Address
Food Importer / Distributor Registration and Import Licensing Office, Room 119, 1/F, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Telephone
For enquiries, please call Senior Health Inspector (Import/Export) Import Licensing at (852) 2156 3040 or Health Inspector (Import/Export) Import Licensing at (852) 2156 3041 or (852) 2156 3042.
Fax
(852) 2156 1015
Contact officer
For enquiries, please call Senior Health Inspector (Import/Export) Import Licensing at (852) 2156 3040 or Health Inspector (Import/Export) Import Licensing at (852) 2156 3041 or (852) 2156 3042.
Submission of an application
Administrative body(ies) for submission of an application
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
Information to be supplied includes particulars of the importer, of the importation and of the products to be imported. Health certificate issued by the recognized issuing entity of the exporting economy concerned or specific approval from the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene is required to support licence applications.
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
Application form (Form No.: FEHB 284) is available at https://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/public/public_fi/files/fehb284.pdf. Applications may also be submitted online round-the-clock at FTP website: https://www.ftp.cfs.gov.hk/.
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
Application for import licences should be lodged in advance of importation taking into account the processing time.
Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain
There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which licence applications may be made.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
Traders who have opened user accounts in the Food Trader Portal (FTP) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department may submit applications for import licence online round-the-clock at FTP website: https://www.ftp.cfs.gov.hk/. Upon approval, the import licence will be sent to the applicant's FTP account.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
For applications submitted in paper mode, completed application form (Form No.: FEHB 284) should be submitted. The issue of an import licence under normal circumstances requires one working day (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, dates of submission and issuing).
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department is the sole administrative organ responsible for the processing and approval of meat and poultry import licences.
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
The licence is not transferable.
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
No licensing fee is required for import licence applications.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
No deposit or advance payment is required.
Amount or rate?
Is it refundable?
What is the period of retention?
What is the purpose of this requirement?
Refusal of an application
Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria?
Application for a licence will be approved provided the ordinary criteria are met.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
Reason for refusal will be given to applicant.
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
Applicants may appeal to the Chief Executive of the HKSAR against a decision of refusal for issuing a licence. The right to appeal to the Chief Executive is statutorily provided.
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
Applicants may appeal to the Chief Executive of the HKSAR against a decision of refusal for issuing a licence. The right to appeal to the Chief Executive is statutorily provided.
Importation
Are there any limitations as to the period of year during which importation may be made?
There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which importation may be made.
What documents are required upon actual importation?
The import licence is the only document required upon actual importation.
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
Apart from the standard licensing conditions printed on the import licence, other conditions are printed under the “Important Notice” and attached to the import licence which are not subject to quantitative restriction.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
An import licence is valid for six weeks. The period of validity cannot be extended. The licence applicant should request cancellation of the expired licence and may apply for a new licence.
Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
The licence is valid for one shipment only.
Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
There is no penalty for non-utilization. Importers should however cancel the licences.
Foreign Exchange
Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported?
The banking authorities automatically provide foreign exchange for goods to be imported.
Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange?
No licence is required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange.