7. Importation Requirements

General Foods
Hong Kong

This section provides information on the importation process (shipment, customs, licenses required, and test requirements). 

7.1 Shipment Declaration

Any persons who import or export any articles, other than exempted articles, are required to do accurate and complete import/export declarations within 14 days after the importation/exportation of the article.

Food importers, through close liaison with exporting countries, are responsible for ensuring that the food items they procure comply with the Hong Kong legislation. To help ensure hygienic standards of food, importers are encouraged to obtain health certificates issued by issuing entities of countries of origin to accompany their imports certifying that the food products concerned are fit for human consumption. 

The Food Safety Ordinance (Chapter 612, Sections 4 and 5 of the Ordinance) [1] requires any person who carries on a food importation/ distribution business to register with the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene (DFEH) as a food importer/ food distributor. 

7.2 Customs Procedure

The basic food law in Hong Kong is laid down in Part V (Food and Drugs) of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132 [2]. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department is responsible for implementing territory-wide policies of food safety control and enforcing the food legislation.

To ensure hygienic standards of food, importers are encouraged to obtain health certificates issued by health authorities of countries of origin to accompany their imports certifying that the food products concerned are fit for human consumption. In addition, there are specific legal requirements or administrative arrangements for the import of the following food items:

• Game, meat, and poultry
• Milk and milk beverages
• Frozen confections
• Food containing added coloring matter
• Food containing metals
• Food containing artificial sweeteners
• Food containing aflatoxins, erucic acid, or other prohibited substances
• Food containing preservatives or antioxidants

7.3 Manufacturing License

No manufacturing license is required for importation.

Licenses come in three types:

1. Import and Export Licence--for the import or export of the type(s) of dutiable commodities specified;
2. Manufacturer's Licence--for the manufacture of the type(s) of dutiable commodities specified;
3. Public Bonded Warehouse Licence, General Bonded Warehouse Licence, or Licensed Warehouse Licence--for the storage of the type(s) of dutiable commodities specified.

Note: Application for a license to sell liquor for immediate consumption on the premises where it is sold should be made to the appropriate Liquor Licensing Board of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department. Inquiries can be made to:

(A) Liquor Licensing Board of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (for the premises in the urban area), Tel.: 2879 5779 or 2729 1126.

(B) Liquor Licensing Board of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (for the premises in the New Territories), Tel.: 2601 8232.

7.4 Test for Importation

No specific tests are required to be conducted to support the importation process.

7.5 Other Notes or Requirements for Importation

None.

7.6 Overview Flowchart for Importation Process

Hong Kong pursues a free trade policy and does not maintain barriers to trade [3]. There are no restrictions on the right to operate the import and export of goods. But still, the import and export of goods must comply with certain regulations and clearance procedures.

Import and Export Clearance

In general, all cargoes imported into / exported from Hong Kong via air, land, and sea are subject to Customs control which is done primarily through inspection of clearance documents, including:

1. Manifests;
2. Import/export license or removal permit (if required);
3. Copy of detention notice (if applicable); and / or
4. Other supporting documents such as bill of lading, airway bill, invoice, and packing.

Food importers, through close liaison with exporting countries, are responsible for ensuring that food items they procure comply with the local legislation. To help ensure hygienic standards of food, importers are encouraged to obtain health certificates issued by issuing entities of countries of origin to accompany their imports certifying that the food products concerned are fit for human consumption. 

The Food Safety Ordinance (Chapter 612) [1] Sections 4 and 5 require any person who carries on a food importation/distribution business to register with the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene (DFEH) as a food importer/food distributor.

7.7 References

1. Food Safety Ordinance (Chapter 612)

https://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/foodsafetyordinance/food_safety_ordinance.html

2. Part V (Food and Drugs) of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132

https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap132!en?INDEX_CS=N&xpid=ID_1438402660982_003

3. HKTDC - Import & Export Requirements

https://research.hktdc.com/en/article/MzU2MTA5NjU3