WORLD TRADE G/LIC/N/3/HKG/1/Rev.1
13October 1996
ORGANIZATION(96-4400)
Original: English Committee onImport Licensing
REPLIES TOQUESTIONNAIRE ONIMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES
Notification under Article 7.3ofthe
Agreement onImport Licensing Procedures
HONG KONG
Revision
Thefollowing notification, dated 26September 1996, from thePermanent Mission ofHong
Kong updates andreplaces theprevious notification circulated indocument G/LIC/N/3/HKG/1. It
alsocontains thecontrol system forimportation ofwaste which wasintroduced inHong Kong on
1September 1996.
_______________
Table ofContents
Page
1.Trade Department:
A.Textiles
B.Arms andammunition, radio transmitting equipment, explosives and
strategic commodities
C.Rice, frozen meatandpoultry, pesticides, pharmaceutical products and
medicines, radioactive substances andirradiating apparatus, ozone
depleting substances andgoods from Iraq, Croatia andBosnia-Herzegovina
2.Customs andExcise Department:
A.Dutiable commodities
B.Controlled chemicals
3.Civil Engineering Department:
Sand
4.Agriculture andFisheries Department:
A.Plants, plant pests andsoil
B.Endangered species ofanimals andplants
C.Liveanimals
5.Environmental Protection Department:
Waste2
4
7
13
15
17
19
21
23
24G/LIC/N/3/HKG/1/Rev.1
Page2
1. TRADE DEPARTMENT
1.A IMPORT LICENSING SYSTEM FOR TEXTILES
Outline ofSystem
1. HongKongmaintainsanimportlicensingsystemfortextileimportsfromallsources.Itfunctions
asasurveillance system toback upHong Kong'stextiles export control system. Thesystem is
administered bytheTrade Department oftheHong Kong Government. Importers arerequired toapply
fortextile import licences tocover eachconsignment prior totheactual arrival ofthegoods, unless
theyhavebeenregistered under theTextiles Trader Registration Scheme andexempted fromtheimport
licensing requirements.
Purposes andCoverage ofLicensing
2. Thelicensing system covers theimportation ofalltextile products.
3. Thesystem applies totextiles coming from allcountries/territories.
4. Thetextiles import licensing system isnotintended torestrict thequantity orvalue ofimports,
buttofunction asasurveillance system tobackupHong Kong'stextiles export control system. Traders
are,however, provided withaconvenient alternative ofjoining theTextiles Trader Registration Scheme,
under which registered textiles traders needonlysubmit notifications completed bythemselves, inlieu
oflicences issued bytheTrade Department, tocover theirimported consignments.
5. Thetextiles import licensing system isastatutory requirement maintained under theImport
andExport Ordinance, Chapter 60oftheLaws ofHong Kong which alsoprovides forregistered textiles
traders tobeexempted fromcertain licensing requirements. Thelegislation doesnotleave designation
ofproducts tobesubjected tolicensing toadministrative discretion. Theabolition ofthetextiles import
licensing system requires legislative approval.
Procedures
6. Notapplicable.
7. (a) Atextiles importer should obtain animport licence priorto,butnotmorethan,28days
before thearrival ofgoods asatextiles import licence isvalid for28days. Provided
thatthere arenocomplications, alicence application sosubmitted totheTrade
Departmentisapprovedtwoclearworkingdaysafterthedateuponwhichtheapplication
isreceived. Lateapplications i.e.afterthegoods inquestion havearrived, maybe
approved retrospectively subject tocertain conditions being met.
Atextiles trader registered under theTextiles Trader Registration Scheme maysubmit
animport notification oratranshipment notification (ifthegoods aretranshipment
cargo) completed byhimself, inlieuofanimport licence, atthetimeofimportation.
(b) Expeditious issue ofalicence maybegranted injustified cases.
(c) There arenolimitations astotheperiod oftheyearduring which licence applications
maybemade.G/LIC/N/3/HKG/1/Rev.1
Page3
(d) TheTrade Department oftheHong Kong Government isthesoleadministrative organ
regarding theprocessing andapproval oftextiles import licences.
8. Anapplication foranimport licence isnormally granted ifitmeets theordinary criteria. In
theevent ofrefusal toissue alicence, thereasons willbegiven, andtheapplicant mayappeal tothe
Governor ofHong Kong bywriting totheChief Secretary oftheHong Kong Government.
Eligibility ofImporters toApply forLicence
9. Allpersons,firmsandinstitutionsareeligibletoapplyfortextilesimportlicences.Allimporters,
exporters, manufacturers, carriers andfreight forwarders mayapply toberegistered under theTextiles
Trader Registration Scheme. Theregistration feeiscurrently HK$2,640 perannum.
ForSpecial Import Licence (Textiles) covering imports offinished piece-knitted garments made
fromHong Kong origin knit-to-shape panels assembled outside Hong Kong foreventual exportation
totheUnited States, applicants must firstberegistered withtheTrade Department under aspecial
factory registration arrangement asafactory knitting knit-to-shape panels and/or manufacturing piece-
knitted garments forexport totheUnited States. Anannual registration feeofHK$2,807 ispayable.
There arenopublished listsofauthorized importers.
Documentational andOther Requirements forApplication forLicence
10. Fortheapplication oftextile import licence, theimporter hastoprovide information on
particulars oftheimporter, foreign exporters anddetails oftheshipment.
Samples ofImport Licence (Textiles) Form 7,Special Import Licence (Textiles) Form 8b,
Form 8candForm 8e,Import Notification (Textiles), andTranshipment Notification (Textiles) are
atAppendix I.1
Nosupportingdocumentsarerequiredforimportlicenceapplications(Form7)submittedbefore
thearrival ofgoods. ForSpecial Import Licences, supporting documents suchastherelevant special
export licence orcertificate oforigin should besubmitted together withthelicence applications.
11. Avalidtextiles import licence oracompleted import notification ortranshipment notification
isrequired upon actual importation.
12. Thefeeforanapplication forImport Licence (Textiles) Form 7isHK$37 andthatforSpecial
Import Licence Form 8b,8cand8eiscurrently HK$40, tobepaidintheformofadhesive orimpressed
postage stamps affixed orfranked ontheapplication. Nofeeischarged forthecompletion and
submission ofnotifications.
13. Nodeposit oradvance payment isrequired.
Conditions ofLicensing
14. Atextiles import licence isvalidfor28daysfromthedateofissue. Thevalidity ofalicence
cannot beextended. Thelicence applicant should request forcancellation oftheexpired licence and
apply foranewlicence.
1Available forconsultation intheSecretariat (Market Access Division).G/LIC/N/3/HKG/1/Rev.1
Page4
15. Atextilesimportlicencenotutilizedwithinthevalidityperiodshouldbecancelledwithin14days
afterexpiry ofthelicence. Similarly, alicence should besubmitted foramendment forshort-shipment
within 14daysafterthedateofarrival ofthegoods. TheTrade Department maytakelegaland/or
administrative action against unreported short-shipment ornon-utilization oflicences.
16. Nottransferable.
17. No.
Other Procedural Requirements
18. No.
19. Noforeign exchange control.
1.B IMPORTATION OFARMS AND AMMUNITION, RADIO TRANSMITTING
EQUIPMENT, EXPLOSIVES AND OTHER STRATEGIC COMMODITIES
Outline ofSystem
1. Import control onstrategic commodities isprimarily exercised bytheTrade Department of
theHong Kong Government. However, several other Government departments arealsoinvolved in
thesystem ofimport controls forproducts intheirrespective jurisdiction.
Purposes andCoverage ofLicensing
2. Importlicencesarerequiredforarmsandammunition;radiotransmittingequipment;explosives;
andother strategic commodities including nuclear materials, nuclear facilities andnuclear equipment,
high-speed digital computers, high-capacity static RAM andEEPROM memory integrated circuits,
high-capacity fibre optics communication systems, chemical weapon precursors andmanufacturing
facilities, certain biological agents, plant pathogens, andrelated manufacturing equipment, facilities
andarticles forauserelating tonuclear, chemical orbiological weapons.
3. Thelicensing system applies togoods originating inandcoming from anyterritory.
4. Theimport licensing system onstrategic commodities isnotintended torestrict thequantity
orvalue ofimports. Instead, itistomonitor Hong Kong'saccess tohightechnology andinturnto
protect Hong Kong'saccess tohightechnology products. Alternative method hasbeenconsidered
butnotadopted because theexisting licensing system isconsidered satisfactory.
5. Theimport licensing system isastatutory requirement maintained under respective Ordinances
andtheirsubsidiary legislations under theLaws ofHong Kong (seebelow). Legislations donotleave
designation ofproducts tobesubject tolicensing foradministrative discretion. Anychanges suchas
subjecting anewproduct toimport licensing orremoval ofanexisting product therefrom require
legislative approval.
Product Relevant Ordinance
Arms andammunition :Firearms andAmmunition Ordinance, Cap. 238
Radio transmitting equipment :Sections8and9oftheTelecommunicationOrdinance,
Cap. 106G/LIC/N/3/HKG/1/Rev.1
Page5
Product Relevant Ordinance
Explosives :Dangerous Goods (General) Regulations, Cap. 2951
Strategic commodities :ImportandExport(StrategicCommodities)Regulations,
madeundertheImportandExportOrdinance,Cap.60
Procedures
6. Notapplicable.
7. (a) Licence applications should besubmitted inadvance ofimportation taking intoaccount
theprocessing timerequired byTrade Department, which isatleastthreeclearworking
daysforimport applications covering strategic commodities, andtheprocessing time
oftheendorsing departments:
(i) Royal Hong Kong Police Force (forarms andammunition): normally two
workingdaysforLimitedLicenceforPossessionortoobtaintheArmsDealer's
Licence which requires sixto12months.
(ii) Telecommunications Authority (forradio transmitting equipment): within
14working daysforRadio Dealer 'sLicence andoneclear working dayfor
Import Permit.
(iii) Marine Department (fordirect transhipment ofexplosives invessels): 48hours
before arrival ofthegoods.
(iv) CivilEngineering Department (forendorsement onimport licence application
ofexplosives): instantly.
(b) Import licences canbeobtained within ashorter time-limit onrequest when there are
sufficient justifications. Forstrategic goods imported without alicence owing to
inadvertency, consideration willbegiven toissuing aretrospective import licence
provided thatthefollowing documents aresubmitted:
(i) aletter giving reasons forthelatelodgement ofthelicence application. The
lettershouldstatewhetherornottheshipping,airlineortransportationcompany
hasalready released thegoods forimportation;
(ii) iftheimporter hasnottaken delivery ofthegoods, awritten confirmation from
thecarrier company oritscargo agent; and
(iii) therelevant Bill(s) ofLading orAirWaybill(s).
1Under theDangerous Goods (General) Regulations, allcommercial explosives inHong Kong have tobe
stored either intheGovernment Explosives Depots orinalicensed store. Forexplosives which arerequired
bylawtobestored intheGovernment Explosives Depots, animporter hastoapply under theDangerous Goods
(GovernmentExplosivesDepots)Regulationsforstoragespacebygivingeightweeks'noticeinadvance.Provided
theexplosives canbestored inasafecondition andtheimport would notresult intheoverstocking ofthedepot,
theapplication willbeapproved bytheCommissioner ofMines.G/LIC/N/3/HKG/1/Rev.1
Page6
Alicence canbegranted immediately onrequest onlyinexceptional cases where the
applicantcangiveareasonableexplanationand/orprovideevidencetosupporthisclaim.
(c) There arenolimitations astotheperiod oftheyearduring which application forlicence
and/or importation maybemade.
(d) Applications would notbepassed ontoother organizations byTrade Department for
approval orinformation under normal circumstances. Forapplications concerning
arms, ammunition, radio transmitting equipment andexplosives, theimporter hasto
approach therelevant government departments inparagraph 7(a)above aswellfor
endorsement onimport orlegalpossession ofthesubject products.
8. Import licence applications mayberefused incases where aninternational trade sanction on
theexporting country isinforce. Thereason(s) forarefusal maybegiven totheapplicant. Anapplicant
hasarightofappeal totheGovernor ofHong Kong whomayconfirm, varyorreverse thedecision
oftheDirector-General ofTrade. Theappeal mustbelodged withtheChief Secretary within 14days
fromthedatetheimporter wasinformed ofthedecision orwithin suchfurther period astheGovernor
mayallow inanyparticular cases bynotice inwriting. Therighttoappeal totheGovernor isstatutorily
provided.
Eligibility ofImporters toApply forLicence
9. Allfirms andinstitutions areeligible toapply forimport licences except under special
circumstances where licensing facilities tothemaredenied owing tomalpractices ofthefirm/institution
orsome other special reasons.
Forthepurpose ofinterference control, anyperson whoimports orexports radio transmitting
equipment isrequired toobtain apermit fromtheTelecommunications Authority unless heisaholder
ofa"Radio Dealers Licence" issued bytheTelecommunications Authority todealinthecourse of
trade orbusiness.
Documentational andOther Requirements forApplication forLicence
10. Asample formisattached (Appendix II).1Catalogues/technical specifications oftheproducts
under application aretobesubmitted withtheapplication fortechnical classification purpose. Incase
oflateapplication concerning strategic commodities, thedocuments (i)-(iii) inparagraph 7(b)have
alsotobeprovided.
11. Only theimport licence isneeded upon actual importation.
12. Nolicensing feeischarged.
13. Nodeposit oradvance payment isrequired.
Conditions ofLicensing
14. Animport licence covering strategic commodities isvalidforsixmonths fromthedateofissue.
Thevalidity cannot beextended under normal circumstances.
1Available forconsultation intheSecretariat (Market Access Division).G/LIC/N/3/HKG/1/Rev.1
Page7
15. No.Importers should however submit anunused licence toTrade Department forcancellation.
16. Nottransferable.
17. Thefollowingconditionisnormallyattachedtotheissueofanimportlicenceconcerningstrategic
commodities: "Diversion enroute prohibited. Re-export notpermitted except under andinaccordance
withanexport licence issued bytheDepartment" and"Conditions ofissue: Thegoods arenottobe
usedinrelation tonuclear, biological orchemical weapons ormissile capable ofdelivering these
weapons".
Other Procedural Requirements
18. Noother administrative procedures required.
19. Noforeign exchange controls.
1.C IMPORT CONTROL ONRICE, FROZEN MEAT AND FROZEN POULTRY,
PESTICIDES, PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS AND MEDICINES, RADIOACTIVE
SUBSTANCESANDIRRADIATINGAPPARATUS,OZONEDEPLETI NGSUBSTANCES
AND GOODS FROM IRAQ, CROATIA AND BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA
Outline ofSystem
1.(a) Licences arerequired forimport ofrice, frozen meat andfrozen poultry, pesticides,
pharmaceutical products andmedicines, radioactive substances andirradiating apparatus andozone-
depleting substances. Allgoods imported fromIraqareprohibited. These import controls areapplied
forsafety, health, environmental protection reasons, orforfulfilment ofHong Kong'sinternational
obligation. Thecontrol system isprimarily operated bytheHong Kong Trade Department.
Ozone-depleting substances import licences areissued bytheTrade Department under delegation from
theEnvironmental Protection Department. Pesticide import licences areissued bytheAgriculture
andFisheries Department under delegation fromtheTrade Department. However, endorsement from
other government departments mayberequired forsome oftheproducts before animport licence is
issued.
(b) AllgoodsimportedfromCroatiaandBosnia-Herzegovinaarecurrentlysubjecttoimportlicensing
control. Nevertheless, following theUNSecurity Council Decision on22November 1995 and27
February 1996 (UNResolution 1022) tosuspend sanctions measures imposed ontheUN-controlled
areasofCroatia andSerb-controlled areasofBosnia-Herzegovina respectively, amendment ofrespective
legislation ofHong Kong withaviewtolifting thelicensing control isunderway andisexpected to
becompleted soon.
Purposes andCoverage ofLicensing
2. Import licensing/control isintended forthefollowing purposes:
Products Purpose ofcontrolG/LIC/N/3/HKG/1/Rev.1
Page8
(a) rice,frozen meatandfrozen poultry
(b) pesticides
(c) pharmaceutical products andmedicines
(d) radioactive substances andirradiating
apparatus
(e) ozone-depleting substances
(f) banonallgoods imported from Iraqmaintaining areserve stock foremergency purposes
public health
public health
public health
environmental protection
international trade sanctions
3. Thesystem applies toproducts coming fromallcountries except items (e)and(f)ofparagraph 2
above. Foritem(e),allimports ofozone-depleting substances fromnon-parties totheMontreal Protocol
arebanned. Only imports from Montreal Protocol signatories ofmethyl bromide and
hydrochlorofluorocarbon areallowed forlocalconsumption since 1January 1996. Foritem(f),all
imports from thefollowing areas arebanned under thefollowing legislation orauthorization:
Countries Legislation/Authorization
(i) Iraq
(ii) Croatia andBosnia-HerzegovinaIraqandKuwait (United Nations Sanctions)
(Dependent Territories) Order 1990
Import andExport (General) Regulations: (Note:
Amendment oftheRegulations isunderway witha
viewtolifting suchlicensing control)
4. Theprincipal objective oftheimport licensing system isnottorestrict thequantity orvalue
ofimports, butforpurposes setoutinparagraph 2above. However, aquantitative limitisimposed
forimports ofriceandozone-depleting substances toensure:
(a)(forrice) -regular andadequate supply andtoprovide areserve
stock foremergency situations; and
(b)(forozone-depleting substances) -thattheamount ofozone-depleting substances retained
forlocalconsumption doesnotexceed levels agreed
under Montreal Protocol onSubstances thatDeplete
theOzone Layer.
5. Theimport licensing system isastatutory requirement maintained under respective Ordinances
under theLaws ofHong Kong (seebelow). Legislations donotleave designation ofproduct tobe
subjected tolicensing toadministrative discretion. Anychanges suchassubjecting anewproduct to
import licensing orremoval ofanexisting product therefrom require legislative approval.G/LIC/N/3/HKG/1/Rev.1
Page9
Product Relevant Ordinance
Rice:
Frozen meatandfrozen poultry:
Pesticides:
Pharmaceutical products andmedicines:Reserved Commodities Ordinance, Cap. 296
Reserved Commodities Ordinance, Cap. 296
Pesticides Ordinance, Cap. 133
Import andExport (General) Regulations, Import
andExport Ordinance, Cap. 60
Pharmacy andPoisons Ordinance, Cap. 138
Import andExport (General) Regulations, Import
andExport Ordinance, Cap. 60
Ozone-depleting substances:
Radioactive substances andirradiating
apparatus:Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance, Cap. 403
Import (Radiation) (Prohibition) Regulations,
Import andExport Ordinance, Cap. 60
Procedures
6. Onlytheimportation ofriceandozone-depleting substances forlocalconsumption aresubject
toquantitative restriction:
A. Rice
I. TheTrade Department answers enquiries onallinformation ontheimport licensing
ofrice, including thatconcerning allocation ofquotas andformalities offiling
applications forlicences.
II. Thesizeofquotas iscalculated tobeabletomeetthelevelofdemand which isadjusted
quarterly.
III. Import licences forlocal consumption areissued toregistered riceimporters, none
ofwhom isadomestic producer ofrice. Inaccordance withtheobjective ofensuring
anadequate supply ofricetoHong Kong, theimporters areobliged toimport rice
inaccordance withquotas allocated tothem andthusthere would notbeanyunused
allocation. Information onthenames ofimporters isgiven tothepublic onrequest.
Suchinformation would similarly begiven tothegovernments andexport promotion
bodies ofexporting countries upon request.
IV. After announcement ofthequarterly ricequota, applications forimport licences may
besubmitted immediately untiltheapplicant 'squarterly quota isfullyutilized.
V. Import licences forriceareissued inoneclear working day.
VI. Theimporters canhavetheirlicences issued immediately before thecommencement
ofthequarterly period. Accordingly theycanusethefullquarterly period forthe
importation ofrice.
VII. Import licences forricearehandled singly byTrade Department.G/LIC/N/3/HKG/1/Rev.1
Page10
VIII. Licences areissued toregistered importers only. Normally, there isnoprovision for
newimporters.
X. Notapplicable.
XI. Inthecaseofimport forre-export where quotas arenotrequired, import licences will
beissued oncondition thatthegoods willhavetobeexported.
B. Ozone-depleting substances
I. Invitation forquota applications isissued through Gazette notification andpressrelease.
Letters arealsosenttopotential importers inviting theirapplications. Successful
applicants willbenotified oftheamount ofquotas allocated. Descriptions ofthe
licensing andquota systems areavailable tothegeneral public freeofcharge inthe
formofleaflets. Information onthetotalamount ofquotas iscontained inthepress
release andalsoavailable upon request.
II. Thesizeofquotas isdetermined ona12-month basis. Licences areissued toregistered
companies onindividual consignment basis.
III. TheGovernment willclosely monitor theutilization ofquotas andlicences. Unused
allocations willnotbeadded toquotas forthesucceeding control period because the
maximum levelforeachcontrol period isfixed. Alistofquota holders isavailable
upon request.
IV. Submissionofapplicationsforlicencesmaybemadeatanytime.However,applications
forimports ofhydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) forlocal consumption willonly
beconsidered iftheapplicants haveenough validquotas fortherelevant control period.
Methyl bromide could beimported withavalid licence provided thatimporters have
obtained pesticide permit fromtheAgriculture andFisheries Department andtheimport
ofmethyl bromide isrestricted tothepurpose ofquarantine andpreshipment
applications.
V. Import licences arenormally issued intwoclear working days.
VI. Thecurrent control period forozone-depleting substances isfrom 1January to
31December 1996. Tofacilitate imports atthebeginning ofthefollowing control
period,theTradeDepartmentwillprovidelicensingserviceoneweekpriortotheexpiry
ofthecurrent control period.
VII. Importers onlyneedtoapproach theTrade Department forregistration andapplication
andissue oflicences.
VIII. Quotas areallocated toimporters withregard totheirperformance intheprevious
control period. Freequotas forHCFCs, operated intwophases, areallocated during
thecontrol period tocaterfornewimporters/users oradditional import demands. A
pointsystem, which takesintoconsideration pastrecords ofindividual importers, their
incentiveofusingrecyclingequipmentaswellasthelocaldemandforHCFCstoreplace
CFCs, halons and1,1,1-trichloroethane applications, arealsousedtodetermine the
amount tobeallocated totheapplicants. Newimporters canalsoacquire thequotas
through quota transfer from theexisting quota holders.G/LIC/N/3/HKG/1/Rev.1
Page11
IX. Notapplicable.
X. Notapplicable.
XI. Inthecaseofimport forre-export where quotas arenotrequired, import andexport
licences willbeissued atthesame timeoncondition thatthegoods willhavetobe
exported within thevalidity period oftheexport licences.
7. (a) Application forimport licences should besubmitted inadvance ofimportation taking
intoaccount theprocessing time. Theprocessing timeincludes theprocessing time
bytheTrade Department andforpesticides import licences, theAgriculture and
Fisheries Department, which isoneclearworking dayforitems 2(a),(b),(c)and(d)
above, andtheprocessing timeoftheendorsing departments (see(d)below) which
isasfollows:
Endorsing Department Processing time
Department ofHealth onbehalf ofthe oneworking day
Pharmacy andPoisons Board (forpharmaceutical
products andmedicine)
(b) Inexceptional cases, alicence canbegranted immediately onrequest.
(c) There arenolimitations astotheperiod oftheyearduring which application forlicence
and/or importation maybemade.
(d) Import licences forpharmaceutical products andmedicine must beendorsed bythe
Department ofHealth onbehalf ofthePharmacy andPoisons Board asindicated in
sub-paragraph (a)above. Theimporter hastoapproach thedepartment himself for
theendorsement ofthelicence.
8. Under normal circumstances, anapplication foranimport licence isusually granted ifitmeets
theordinary criteria. Intheevent ofrefusal, thereasons willbegiven. Applicants mayappeal to
theGovernor ofHong Kong intheevent ofrefusal toissue animport licence. TheGovernor of
Hong Kong mayconfirm, varyorreverse thedecision oftheDirector-General ofTrade. Theright
toappeal totheGovernor isstatutorily provided.
Eligibility ofImporters toApply forLicence
9. (a) Forrice,frozen meatandfrozen poultry (imported forlocalconsumption), acompany
isrequired toberegistered withtheTrade Department firstbefore itcanapply for
animport licence. With theexception ofrice,registration isopen toallbusiness
enterprises. Atpresent nofeeischarged fortheregistration. Anup-to-date listof
registered importers ismaintained bytheDepartment forinspection bythepublic at
afeeofHK$5.
(b) Forozone-depleting substances, acompany isrequired toregister withtheTrade
Department before itcanapply foranimport licence. Registration isopen toall
companies onpayment ofafeeofHK$1,505. Alistofregistered importers isavailable
onrequest.G/LIC/N/3/HKG/1/Rev.1
Page12
(c) Forpharmaceutical products, onlythose products which havebeenregistered withthe
Pharmacy andPoisons Board areallowed tobeimported forthepurpose oflocalsale
ordistribution. Acompany isrequired toholdanappropriate dealer 'slicence issued
bythePharmacy andPoisons Board before itcanapply foranimport licence.
Application forthedealer 'slicence isopen toallbusiness enterprises dealing in
pharmaceutical products andmedicines. Afeeischarged forthelicence, which may
range from HK$390 toHK$1,220 depending onthetypeoflicence. There isno
published listoflicensed importers.
(d) Forpesticides, acompany isrequired toholdanappropriate pesticides licence/permit
issued bytheAgriculture andFisheries Department before itcanapply foranimport
licence except where thepesticide isbeing imported onavalidthrough billoflading.
Ifimportedonsuchabilloflading,nopesticideslicence/permitisrequired.Application
forapesticides licence/permit isopen toallbusiness enterprises wishing todealin
pesticides. Afeeischarged forthelicence/permit, which mayrange from around
HK$500 toHK$1,350 depending onthetypeoflicence/permit. There isnopublished
listoflicensed/permitted importers.
Documentational andOther Requirements forApplication forLicence
10. Information tobesupplied includes particulars oftheimporter, oftheimportation andofthe
products tobeimported. Certain documents arealsorequired tosupport licence applications ofthe
following products:
Item Documents
(a) Riceforlocalconsumption subject Contract between buyer andseller
toquantitative requirement
(b) Frozen meatandfrozen poultry Health certificate issued bythe
recognized authority ofthe
exporting country concerned orby
specific prior approval from the
Department ofHealth
(c) Radioactive substances and Acopyoftheradioactive substances
irradiating apparatus licence orirradiating apparatus
licence asappropriate issued bythe
Radiation Board, Department of
Health
(d) Pharmaceutical products Endorsement from thePharmacy
andPoisons Board
(e) Pesticides Apesticides licence orpesticides permit issued
bytheAgriculture andFisheries Department
authorizing theimporter totrade inpesticides
oravalid through billoflading
11. Theimport licence istheonlydocument required bytheGovernment onactual importation.G/LIC/N/3/HKG/1/Rev.1
Page13
12. Apart fromapplications covering ozone-depleting substances, nolicensing feeisrequired for
import licence applications. Forozone-depleting substances import licence, afeeofHK$755 ischarged
ontheissue ofalicence. Theprice ofnon-textiles import licence forms isHK$24 perpad. Each
padcontains about 20forms.
13. Nodeposit oradvance payment isrequired.
Conditions ofLicensing
14. Animport licence isvalid for28daysforozone-depleting substances, sixweeks forriceand
mostoffrozen meatandfrozen poultry, twoweeks forfrozen meatandfrozen poultry fromspecific
countries notaccompanied byvalid health certificates andsixmonths fortheother products listed in
paragraph 2.Theperiod ofvalidity canbeextended bytheDirector-General ofTrade depending on
themerits ofindividual requests.
15. No.Importers should however cancel oramend thelicences.
16. Nottransferable.
17. (a) Apart fromthelicensing conditions printed onthebackoftheimport licence (asample
oftheimport licence form forriceisattached atAppendix II1.Theimport licence
form forozone-depleting substances isattached atAppendix III)1,conditions setout
inAppendix IV1areapplicable toriceandozone-depleting substances which aresubject
toquantitative restriction.
(b) Apart from thelicensing conditions printed ontheimport licence (Appendix II),the
conditions setoutinAppendix V1areapplicable tofrozen meat andfrozen poultry
which arenotsubject toquantitative restriction.
Other Procedural Requirements
18. No.
19. Noforeign exchange controls.
_______________
2. CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT
2.A IMPORT LICENSING SYSTEM FOR DUTIABLE COMMODITIES
Outline ofSystem
1. Theimport ofdutiable commodities (tobacco, liquors, methyl alcohol andhydrocarbon oil)
arecontrolled through (i)licensing ofimporters and(ii)issuing ofremoval permits. Animporter has
tobelicensed withtheCustoms andExcise Department before hecanapply forremoval permit for
import ofdutiable commodities. Thepurpose ofthelicensing system istoprotect theexcise duty
imposed onthedutiable commodities andtocollect theexcise duty.
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Purposes andCoverage ofLicensing
2. Removal permit isissued tolicensed importer byCustoms andExcise Department tocontrol
theimport andmovement ofdutiable commodities.
3. Thesystem applies todutiable commodities coming from allcountries.
4. Theimport licensing system isnotintended torestrict thequantity northevalue ofimport,
buttoprotect andcollect theexcise dutyimposed onthedutiable commodities. Theexisting licensing
system isdeemed satisfactory andnoalternative method hasbeenconsidered.
5. Import licences andremoval permits arestatutorily required under theDutiable Commodities
Ordinance, Chapter 109.Legislation doesnotleave designation ofproducts tobesubjected tolicensing
toadministrative discretion. Legislative approval isrequired should there beanychange inexisting
system.
Procedures
6. Notapplicable.
7. (a) Application forremoval permit fromalicensed importer should besubmitted inadvance
ofimportation taking account oftheprocessing time. Foranapplication foranimporter
tobelicensed, thenormal processing timeisfourteen working days. Fortheissue
ofaremoval permit toalicensed importer, itwould require twoworking days.
(b) Alicence cannot begranted immediately onrequest because ofthetimerequired to
process theapplication.
(c) There isnolimitation oftimeduring theyearontheapplication forlicence and/or
importation.
(d) Yes,theimport licence andremoval permit areissued bytheCustoms andExcise
Department only. Itisnotnecessary fortheapplications tobepassed ontoother
departments ororgans forvisa, noteorapproval. Theimporter isonlyrequired to
apply fortheimport licence andremoval permit from theCustoms andExcise
Department.
8. Applicationforanimportertobelicensedwillnormallybegrantedprovidedtheordinarycriteria
aremet. Incaseanapplication isrefused, thereason fortherefusal willbegiven totheapplicant.
Anapplicant hastheright toappeal toGovernor inCouncil against thedecision ofrefusal togrant
animport licence oraremoval permit bytheCommissioner ofCustoms andExcise.
Eligibility ofImporters toApply forLicence
9. Allpersons, firms andinstitutions areeligible toapply tobelicensed bytheCustoms andExcise
Department.
Documentational andOther Requirements forApplication forLicence
10. Fortheapplication ofanimporter tobelicensed, information including particulars ofthe
applicant andtheproposed licensed premises havetobeprovided. Fortheapplication ofaremovalG/LIC/N/3/HKG/1/Rev.1
Page15
permit, commercial documents relating tothedutiable commodities havetobeprovided. Samples
ofapplication form, licence andremoval permits areatAppendices VI,VIIandVIIIrespectively.1
11. Aremoval permit isrequired uponactual importation ofthedutiable commodities. Inrelation
toimport ofliquors, acertificate ofagemayberequired.
12. Theadministrative charge foranimport licence isHK$500 foreachyearandtheissue ofthe
removal permit isfreeofcharge.
13. Nodeposit oradvance payment isrequired.
Conditions ofLicensing
14. Theimport licence fordutiable commodities isvalidforoneyearwhich canberenewed upon
application onayearly basis.
15. No.
16. Nottransferable between importers.
17. Noother conditions attached tothelicence.
Other Procedural Requirements
18. Noother administrative/procedural requirements prior toimportation.
19. Noforeign exchange control.
2.B IMPORT LICENSING SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLED CHEMICALS
(forsubstances listed onSchedules 1and2oftheControl ofChemicals Ordinance,
Chapter 145only)
Outline ofSystem
1. Theimportofcontrolledchemicalsiscontrolledthrough(i)licensingofimportersand(ii)issuing
ofimport authorization. Animporter hastobelicensed withtheCustoms andExcise Department before
hecanapply foranimport authorization toimport thecontrolled chemicals foreachconsignment.
Thepurpose ofcontrolling theimport ofcontrolled chemicals istoprevent diversion ofthesechemicals
intoillicit manufacture ofnarcotic drugs andpsychotropic substances.
Purposes andCoverage ofLicensing
2. Import authorization isissued tolicensed importers byCustoms andExcise Department to
regulate theimport ofcontrolled chemicals.
3. Thesystem applies tocontrolled chemicals coming from allcountries.
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4. Theimport licensing system isnotintended torestrict thequantity northevalue ofimport,
buttoprevent diversion ofcontrolled chemicals intoillicit manufacture ofdangerous drugs. Itisdeemed
satisfactory andnoalternative method hasbeenconsidered.
5. Thelicence requirement isstatutorily required under theControl ofChemicals Ordinance,
Chapter 145. Legislation does notleave designation ofproducts tobesubjected tolicensing to
administrative discretion. Legislative approval isrequired should there beanychange intheexisting
system.
Procedures
6. Notapplicable.
7. (a) Application forlicences andimport authorization should besubmitted inadvance of
importationtakingintoaccounttheprocessingtime.Foranapplicationfromanimporter
foralicence, thenormal processing timewould require 14days. Fortheissueofan
import authorization toalicensed importer, itwould require fourworking days.
(b) Alicence cannot begranted immediately onrequest because ofthetimerequired to
process theapplication.
(c) There isnolimitation oftimeduring theyearontheapplication forlicence and/or
importation.
(d) Yes,thelicences andimport authorizations areissued bytheCustoms andExcise
Department. Itisnotnecessary fortheapplications tobepassed ontootherdepartments
ororgans forvisa, noteorapproval. Theimporter isonlyrequired toapply fora
licence andanimport authorization foreachofhissubsequent imports ofcontrolled
chemicals from theCustoms andExcise Department.
8. Licences willnormally begranted toestablished companies andeducational orscientific
organizations onapplication. Incaseanapplication isrefused, thereason fortherefusal willbegiven
totheapplicant. Anapplicant hasrighttoappeal toAdministrative Appeals Board against thedecision
ofrefusal togrant alicence bytheCommissioner ofCustoms andExcise.
Eligibility ofImporters toApply forLicence
9. Allimporters mayapply foranimport licence under theControl ofChemicals Ordinance,
Cap. 145.
Documentational andOther Requirements forApplication forLicence
10. Anapplicant foralicence isrequired toprovide theCustoms andExcise Department with
informationabouthispersonalandcompanyparticulars,businessaddressandstorageplaceforcontrolled
chemicals, etc.inhisapplication. Fortheapplication ofanimport authorization, commercial documents
relating totheimport ofcontrolled chemicals havetobeprovided. Samples ofapplication forms for
licence andimport authorization areatAppendices IXandXrespectively.1
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11. Theimport authorization istheonlydocument required under theControl ofChemicals
Ordinance,Cap.145uponactualimportation.Fortheimportofephedrine,ergometrineandergotamine,
import licences under theImport andExport Ordinance, Cap. 60arealsorequired.
12. Theadministrative charge foralicence isHK$100 foreachyearandthatforanimport
authorization isfreeofcharge.
13. Nodeposit oradvance payment isrequired.
Conditions ofLicensing
14. Thelicence isvalid foroneyearwhich canberenewed upon application onyearly basis.
15. Nopenalty fornon-utilization. Licensee should however surrender hislicence and/or import
authorization(s) foramendment orcancellation where appropriate.
16. Nottransferable between importers.
17. Noother conditions attached tothelicence forproducts.
Other Procedural Requirements
18. Noother administrative/procedural requirements prior toimportation.
19. Noforeign exchange control.
_________________
3. CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
3.A IMPORT CONTROL SYSTEM FOR SAND
Outline ofSystem
1. Apermit totransport sandinHong Kong isrequired under theSandOrdinance. Thepermit
system istoprotect thebeaches andseabed inHong Kong. Permits areissued bytheCivilEngineering
Department (CED).
Purposes andCoverage ofthePermits
2. Permits issued byCED arerequired fortheimportation ofsandinexcess of100kg.
3. Thesystem applies tonatural sandimported from allcountries. Processed sandandwashed
sandarenotcovered bytheOrdinance.
4. Thepermit system isnotintended torestrict thequantity orvalue ofimports buttoprovide
amechanism toenable theprotection ofbeaches andseabed inHong Kong.
5. Thepermit system isstatutorily required under Section 3oftheSand Ordinance, Cap. 147.
Anychanges tothepermit system willrequire legislative approval.G/LIC/N/3/HKG/1/Rev.1
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Procedures
6. Notapplicable.
7. (a) Permits toimport sandareissued uponwritten application. Permit application should
besubmitted inadvance ofimportation taking intoaccount theprocessing timewhich
takes afewdays.
(b) Inexceptional cases, apermit canbegranted immediately upon written request.
(c) There arenolimitations astotheperiod oftheyearduring which permit applications
maybemade.
(d) CivilEngineering Department isthesoleadministrative organ regarding theprocessing
andapproval ofapplication forapermit.
8. Applications forapermit willnotberefused iftheordinary criteria aremet.Reasons forrefusal
willbegiven totheapplicant incaseofunsuccessful application.
Eligibility ofImporters toApply forLicence
9. Allpersons orimport companies areeligible toapply forsandpermits. There isnoregistration
fee.There isnopublished listofauthorized importers.
Documentational andOther Requirements forApplication forLicence
10. Informationrequiredrelatestosource,quantityanddestination,anddocumentsissuedbyrelevant
Authority certifying thevessels orvehicles usedfortheexportation ofsands (seeAppendix XI).1
11. Proof ofvalid vehicular orvessel licence.
12. Nofeesarecharged forsandpermits.
13. Nodeposit oradvance payment isrequired.
Conditions ofLicensing
14. Permits arevalidforsixmonths. Thisperiod canbeextended uponapplication. Anewpermit
willbeissued.
15. There isnopenalty forthenon-utilization ofapermit.
16. Permits areissued foraparticular vehicle orvessel which could beusedbydifferent importers.
17. There arenoother conditions attached totheissuance ofapermit.
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Other Procedural Requirements
18. PRCrivertrade cargo vessels engaging inimportation ofsandfromChina arerequired tobe
registered through alocalshipping agent withHarbour Control Section oftheImmigration Department
prior toimportation.
19. Noforeign exchange controls.
_______________
4. AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT
4.A IMPORT CONTROL ONPLANTS, PLANT PESTS AND SOIL
Outline ofSystem
1. Import Licences, supported byphytosanitary certificates, arerequired forimport ofplants.
Prior authorizations arerequired forimport ofplant pestorsoil.
Plant quarantine requirements areframed under thePlant (Importation andPestControl)
Ordinance (Cap. 207)administered bytheAgriculture andFisheries Department. Allprinciples and
procedures arebased onthePlant Protection Agreement fortheAsiaandPacific Region andthe
International Plant Protection Convention.
Purposes andCoverage ofLicensing
2. Forimport ofplants, aPlant Import licence (PIL) issued bytheAgriculture andFisheries
Department isrequired. "Plant" includes timber, trees, shrubs, leaves, roots, flowers, fruits, tubers,
bulbs, corns, stocks, cuttings, layers, slips, suckers, seeds, andanypartofaplant whether ornot
intended forgrowing, planting orpropagation orfrom which further plants maybegrown, planted
orpropagated.
Forimport ofplant pests orsoil,anauthorization inwriting (AIW) issued bytheDirector
ofAgriculture andFisheries isrequired. "Plant pest"means anybacterium, fungus, virus, mycoplasma,
mycoplasma-like organism, alga, viroid orother plant oranyinvertebrate animal which iscapable
ofbeing injurious ordestructive toplants. "Soil" includes earth, sand, clayandpeat.
3. PILandAIWapply toplants originating inandcoming fromallcountries. Theonlyexception
istheexemption ofPILforplants imported from China.
4. Neither PILnorAIWisintended torestrict thequantity orvalue ofimports. Thesolepurpose
istoestablish aneffective means forplantquarantine toprevent thespread ofplantpestincompliance
withtherecommendations ofthePlant Protection Agreement fortheAsiaandPacific Region.
5. PILandAIWarestatutoryinstrumentsunderthePlant(ImportationandPestControl)Ordinance,
Chapter 207oftheLaws ofHong Kong. Legislation doesnotleavedesignation ofplanttobesubjected
tolicensing toadministrative discretion. Itisnotpossible forGovernment toabolish thesystem without
legislative approval.
ProceduresG/LIC/N/3/HKG/1/Rev.1
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6. Notapplicable.
7. (a) Application forPILorAIWshould besubmitted inadvance ofimportation. Itshould
betaken intoaccount thatprocessing ofapplications takes twoclear working days.
(b) PIL,butnotAIW, canbegranted immediately onrequest when there isagenuine
needunder exceptional cases.
(c) There arenolimitations astotheperiod oftheyearduring which application for
importation tobemade.
(d) Both PILandAIW areadministered bytheAgriculture andFisheries Department.
Noother administrative body isinvolved.
8. Application ofPILandAIWwillnotberefused iftheordinary criteria aremet. Thereasons
foranyrefusal arealways given totheapplicant whohastherighttoappeal totheHong Kong Governor
bynotice inwriting within 14daysfrom thedatewhen hewasinformed ofthedecision.
Eligibility ofImporters toApply forLicence
9. Allpersons, firms andinstitutions areeligible toapply forPILandAIW without anypre-
conditional requirement.
Documentational andOther Requirements forApplication forLicence
10. Therequired information isoutlined inthesample application form forPILattached
(Appendix XII).1Anadditional requirement forAIW isawritten justification fortheimportation.
11. Upon actual importation, allFirst Schedule (Part I)plants andGossypium spp.must be
accompanied byaPIL,avalidphytosanitary certificate (PSC) andcertificate offumigation/disinfection
(CF/D) issued bytheexporting country orelsetheconsignment willbeseized fordestruction. For
allplants, onlyPILandPSCarerequired.
Actual importation ofaplantpestorsoilrequires AIWandother documents, usually PSCand
CF/D stated ontheAIW asspecial conditions fortheauthorization.
12. Nofeeischarged forPILandAIW.
13. Nodeposit oradvance payment required.
Conditions ofLicensing
14. Thevalidity forbothPILandAIW istwomonths.
15. There isnopenalty fornon-utilization ofPILorAIW.
16. Neither PILnorAIW istransferable.
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17. (a) Notapplicable.
(b) There maybespecial quarantine requirements attached tothePILandAIW. The
conditions arebased ontheprinciples andprocedures recommended bytheAsiaand
Pacific Plant Protection Commission.
Other Procedural Requirements
18. No.
19. Notapplicable.
4.B IMPORT LICENSING SYSTEM FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES OFANIMALS AND
PLANTS
Outline ofSystem
1. Import licences arerequired forimport ofendangered species ofanimals andplants, whether
alive, dead, stuffed specimen, partsorderivatives. Thelicensing system basically ismeant toprotect
endangered species andtoprevent their over-exploitation inaccordance withtheConvention on
International Trade inEndangered Species ofWild Fauna andFlora (CITES) alsoknown asthe
Washington Convention.
Purposes andCoverage ofLicensing
2. Import licences issued bytheAgriculture andFisheries Department arerequired fortheimport
ofanimals andplants listed inCITES Appendices IandII,(including theirreadily recognizable parts
andderivatives) andmedicines containing orclaiming tocontain tigerorrhino ingredients.
3. Theimport licensing requirement applies totraders aswellasindividuals importing theseitems
from allcountries.
4. Theimport licensing system isnotusedtorestrict thequantity orvalue ofimports, buttoprotect
endangered species andtoprevent theirover-exploitation.
5. Theimport licensing system isastatutory requirement maintained under Chapter 187ofthe
Laws ofHong Kong which gives effect totheCITES. Legislation doesnotleave designation ofthe
items tobesubjected tolicensing toadministrative direction. Anychanges require legislative approval.
Procedures
6. Notapplicable.
7. (a) Application forimport licences should besubmitted wellinadvance ofimportation
(atleastfiveworking daysormore depending oncomplexity). However, theissue
ofalicence isnotautomatic andshipments should notbeeffected unless anduntilthe
licence hasbeenissued.
(b) Normally animport licence cannot begranted immediately upon request.
(c) There arenolimitations astotheperiod oftheyearduring which application forlicence
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(d) Agriculture andFisheries Department isthesoleauthority inconsidering endangered
species aspects butallapplications forimport licences havetobesupported byCITES
export permits issued bytheexporting countries.
Moreover, theCITES Secretariat orCITES authority ofexporting countries mayhavetobeconsulted
incertain applications.
8. Licensing policy follows closely theprovisions andspirit ofCITES. Anyapplicant aggrieved
bytherefusal ofalicence mayappeal bywayofpetition totheGovernor.
Eligibility ofImporters toApply forLicence
9. Endangered species: anyperson whocanfulfil theCITES requirements maysubmit their
applications.
Documentational andOther Requirements forApplication forLicence
10. Therequired information issummarized inthesample application form attached at
Appendix XIII1.Withrespect tolivespecimens, controls ofandrequirements forimport ofliveanimals
andplants alsoapply.
11. Import licence issued bythisDepartment together withoriginal oftheCITES Export Permit
issued bytheexporting country arerequired upon actual importation.
12. Thecurrent licence feesareasfollows:
(a) Import Licence forliveanimals HK$393
(b) Import Licence foranimals/plant parts HK$131
13. No.
Conditions ofLicensing
14. TheImport Licences arenormally valid forthree months orless. Thevalidity ofalicence
canbeextended provided thatthelicensee submits anapplication andgives satisfactory justification
totheDirector ofAgriculture andFisheries before itsexpiry.
15. No.
16. Nottransferable.
17. Yes.
Other Procedural Requirements
18. No.
19. Notapplicable.
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4.C IMPORT CONTROLS OFLIVE ANIMALS
Outline ofSystem
1. Aspecial permit isrequired forallliveanimals andbirds imported intoHong Kong. Such
animals orbirds mustbesentintoHong Kong asmanifest cargo. Thesystem aimstoprotect public
health andanimal health; toprovide forpublic safety andanimal welfare; andtoprevent cruelty to
animals.
Purposes andCoverage ofLicensing
2. Aspecial permit issued bytheAgriculture andFisheries Department isrequired fortheimport
ofanimals orbirds.
3. Thesystem applies toanyperson bringing anyanimal orbirdintoHong Kong, except that
non-CITES birds imported directly from China areexcluded from thesystem.
4. Thespecial permit isnotusedtorestrict thequantity orvalue ofimports, buttoensure public
health, animal health andanimal welfare.
5. ThespecialpermitsystemisastatutoryrequirementeitherunderChapter139and/orChapter421
withlinkage toChapter 169oftheLaws ofHong Kong. Legislation doesnotleave designation of
theitems tobesubjected tolicensing toadministrative direction. Anychanges require legislative
approval.
Procedures
6. Notapplicable.
7. (a) Application foraspecial permit should besubmitted wellinadvance ofimportation
(atleastfiveworking days). Flexibility canbegiven inunforeseen circumstances.
However, thegranting ofaspecial permit isnotautomatic andimportation mustnot
bearranged unless apermit isobtained inadvance.
(b) Depending oncircumstance aspecial permit maybegranted immediately onrequest
subject tothepayment oftheprescribed fee.
(c) There arenolimitations astotheperiod oftheyearduring which application forlicence
and/or importation maybemade.
(d) TheAgriculture andFisheries Department hasthesoleauthority tograntspecial permits
subject tofullcompliance withrequirements.
8. Applications mayberejected orrefused ifrequirements cannot bemet. Therefused applicant
mayappeal totheGovernor inCouncil.
Eligibility ofImporters toApply forLicence
9. Anyperson maysubmit anapplication.G/LIC/N/3/HKG/1/Rev.1
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Documentational andOther Requirements forApplication forLicence
10. Therequiredinformationissummarizedinthesampleapplicationformattached(AppendixXIV)1.
11. Aspecial permit issued bytheAgriculture andFisheries Department together withoriginal
health certificate fromtheexporting country andCaptain 'sAffidavit/Airline Certification arerequired
tobeproduced upon animal arrival.
12. Thecurrent feeschedule forspecial permits isattached (Appendix XV)1.
13. Feemust bepaidupon application.
Conditions ofLicensing
14. ASpecial Permit isvalid forthree months. Permits forregular importers offoodanimals
intoHong Kong fromChina arevalidforsixmonths. Thevalidity ofimport permits maybeextended
foramonth upon application atafeeofHK$140.
15. No.
16. Nottransferable.
17. Yes,varying upon thetypeofanimal andcountry oforigin.
Other Procedural Requirements
18. No.
19. Notapplicable.
5. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT
5.A IMPORT CONTROL ONWASTE
Outline ofSystem
1. Theimport ofwaste intoHong Kong iscontrolled under apermit system administered bythe
Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department. Thepermit system serves toensure environmentally
sound management ofwaste inHong Kong. Itsrequirements aretiedinwiththose oftheBasel
Convention ontheControl ofTransboundary Movement ofHazardous Wastes andtheirDisposal.
Purposes andCoverage ofLicensing
2. Apermit isrequired forimport ofanywaste, unless thewaste isspecified inSchedule 6of
theWaste Disposal Ordinance, anditisuncontaminated andisintended forrecycling orreuse purposes.
3. Thepermit system applies towastes originating inandcoming fromanycountries/territories.
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4. Thesystem isnotintended torestrict thequantity orvalue ofimports. Itserves toensure that
priorconsents fromcountries concerned areobtained before commencement ofanywaste transhipment.
Itfacilitates thecontinuation oflegitimate waste tradeandtostopanyillegal transhipment. Thesystem
enables Hong Kong tofulfil itsinternational obligations under theBasel Convention.
5. Thewaste import permit system isastatutory requirement maintained under theWaste Disposal
Ordinance, Chapter 354oftheLaws ofHong Kong. Thelegislation doesnotleave designation of
waste tobesubjected tocontrol toadministrative discretion. Legislative approval isrequired should
there beanychange inexisting system.
Procedures
6. Notapplicable.
7. (a) Permit applications should besubmitted inadvance oftheimportation. Theprocessing
timeforanapplication varies fromcasetocase,depending primarily onthetimetaken
bytheoverseas competent authorities concerned toprovide feedback fortheapplication,
andonwhether theapplication from isdulycompleted andsubmitted withallthe
required supporting documents. Toallow forsufficient timefortheoverseas countries
tomake responses, itisadvisable fortheapplicants tosubmit theirapplications atleast
90daysbefore thecommencement oftheproposed shipment ofwaste.
(b) No.Under theBasel Convention, consents fromallcountries concerned arerequired
prior toanywaste shipment; weareunable toissueanypermit without obtaining the
views from countries concerned.
(c) There arenolimitations astotheperiod oftheyearduring which permit application
maybemade.
(d) TheHong Kong Environmental Protection Department isthesoleadministrative organ
responsible fortheprocessing andapproval ofwaste import permit.
8. Awaste import permit willnormally begranted totheapplicant iftheordinary criteria as
stipulated intheWaste Disposal ordinance aremet.Intheevent ofrefusal toissueapermit, thereasons
willbegiven, andtheapplicant mayappeal totheAppeal Board established under theWaste Disposal
Ordinance.
Eligibility ofImporters toApply forLicence
9. Allfirms andinstitutions areeligible toapply forawaste import permit. Nevertheless, the
applicant should normally bethedisposer ortheimporter ofthewaste. There isnopublished listof
authorized importers.
10. TherequiredinformationisoutlinedinthesamplepermitapplicationattachedatAppendixXVI.1
11. Onactual importation, thewaste should beaccompanied bythepermit andawaste movement
document recording thedetails ofthewaste transhipment.
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12. Anapplication feeofHK$10,750 orHK$17,460 willbecharged fortheapplication ofasingle
shipment oramultiple-shipment permit respectively. Amultiple-shipment permit canhaveavalidity
period ofuptooneyearforrepeated shipments ofthesame typeofwaste fromthesame source and
tothesame disposer orrecycler.
13. Theapplicant isrequired todeposit abond orfinancial guarantee payable totheHong Kong
Government. Theamount ofthebond orfinancial guarantee required willbedetermined ona
case-by-case basis. Itenables thewaste disposal authority torecover costofanyseizure ordisposal
oralternative environmentally sound management ofwaste incasetheintended waste shipment could
notbecompleted asoriginally intended. Thebondorguarantee willbereturned totheapplicant upon
fulfilment andcompletion ofallconditions oftheshipment, including thefinaldisposal/recycling of
thewaste.
Conditions ofLicensing
14. There aretwotypes ofpermit, namely single shipment permit andmultiple-shipment permit.
Theformer typeisvalidforoneshipment only, andwhereas thelatter typecanhaveavalidity period
ofuptooneyearforrepeated shipments ofthesame typeofwaste from thesame source andtothe
same disposer orrecycler. Thevalidity ofapermit cannot beextended. Anewapplication hasto
besubmitted iftheimporting activity istobecontinued afterthevalidity period ofthepermit.
15. No.
16. Nottransferable.
17. Yes.
Other Procedural Requirements
18. No.
19. Notapplicable.