Endangered species of animals and plants
- Document symbol
- G/LIC/N/3/HKG/27
- Original language
- English
- Published on
- 09/11/2023
Outline of Systems
Q1. Give a brief description of each licensing system as a whole and, with respect to each, reply to the following questions as relevant, placing all of the material with respect to a given system in sequence together, and using cross references as appropriate when elements which have already been described are also present in another system.
Import licences are required for the import of (a) endangered species listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), whether alive, dead, parts or derivatives, and (b) live endangered species of wild origin in CITES Appendix II.
Purposes and Coverage of Licensing
Q2. Identify each licensing system maintained and state what products, appropriately grouped, are covered.
Import licences issued by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department are required for the import of animals and plants listed in CITES Appendix I (including their parts and derivatives, and things claimed to contain ingredients made from these endangered species), and live endangered species of wild origin in CITES Appendix II. Import licences are not required for the import of CITES Appendix II species other than live specimens of wild origin and CITES Appendix III species, subject to the production of a valid CITES export permit or certificate of origin.
Q3. The system applies to goods originating in and coming from which countries?
The import licensing requirement applies to traders as well as individuals importing these items from all territories.
Q4. Is the licensing intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports, and if not, what are its purposes? Have alternative methods of accomplishing the purposes been considered and if so which? Why have they not been adopted?
The import licensing system is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports, but to protect endangered species and to prevent them from over exploitation in accordance with CITES.
Q5. Cite the law, regulation and/or administrative order under which the licensing is maintained. Is the licensing statutorily required? Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subjected to licensing to administrative discretion? Is it possible for the government (or the executive branch) to abolish the system without legislative approval?
The import licensing system is a statutory requirement maintained under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap.586) which gives effect to CITES. Under the Ordinance, the Secretary for the Environment may, by order published in the Gazette, amend the list of endangered species to be subject to licensing requirement. Any other changes require legislative approval. Under the Ordinance, the Secretary for the Environment may, by order published in the Gazette, amend the list of endangered species to be subject to licensing requirement. Any other changes require legislative approval.
Procedures
Q6. For products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports (whether applicable globally or to a limited number of countries or whether established bilaterally or unilaterally):
Q6.I. Is information published, and where, concerning allocation of quotas and formalities of filing applications for licences? If not, how is it brought to the attention of possible importers? Of governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries and their trade representatives? Is the overall amount published? The amount allocated to goods from each country? The maximum amount allocated to each importer? How to request any exceptions or derogations from the licensing requirement?
Q6.II. How is the size of the quotas determined: on a yearly, six-monthly or quarterly basis? Are there cases where the size of quota is determined on a yearly basis but licences are issued for imports on a six-monthly or quarterly basis? In the latter case, is it necessary for importers to apply for fresh licence on a six-monthly or quarterly basis?
Q6.III. Are licences allotted for certain goods partly or only to domestic producers of like goods? What steps are taken to ensure that licences allocated are actually used for imports? Are unused allocations added to quotas for a succeeding period? Are the names of importers to whom licences have been allocated made known to governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries upon request? If not, for what reason? (Indicate products to which replies relate.)
Q6.IV. From the time of announcing the opening of quotas, as indicated in I above, what is the period of time allowed for the submission of applications for licences?
Q6.V. What are the minimum and maximum lengths of time for processing applications?
Q6.VI. How much time remains, at a minimum, between the granting of licences and the date of opening of the period of importation?
Q6.VII. Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative organ? Or must the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval? If so, which? Does the importer have to approach more than one administrative organ?
Q6.VIII. If the demand for licences cannot be fully satisfied, on what basis is the allocation to applicants made? First come, first served? Past performance? Is there a maximum amount to be allocated per applicant and, if so, on what basis is it determined? What provision is made for new importers? Are applications examined simultaneously or on receipt?
Q6.IX. In the case of bilateral quotas or export restraint arrangements where export permits are issued by exporting countries, are import licences also required? If so, are licences issued automatically?
Q6.X. In cases where imports are allowed on the basis of export permits only, how is the importing country informed of the effect given by the exporting countries to the understanding between the two countries?
Q6.XI. Are there products for which licences are issued on condition that goods should be exported and not sold in the domestic market?
Q7. Where there is no quantitative limit on importation of a product or on imports from a particular country:
Q7.a. How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made? Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence (for example, owing to inadvertency)?
Application for import licences should be lodged in advance of importation (at least two working days or more depending on complexity). The issue of a licence is not automatic and shipments should not be effected unless and until the licence has been issued.
Q7.b. Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
Normally an import licence cannot be granted immediately upon request.
Q7.c. Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence and/or importation may be made? If so, explain.
There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence and/or importation may be made.
Q7.d. Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative organ? Or must the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval? If so, which? Does the importer have to approach more than one administrative organ?
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department is the sole authority in considering endangered species aspects but all applications for import licences have to be supported by CITES export permits issued by the exporting economies. Moreover, the CITES Secretariat or CITES authority of exporting economies may have to be consulted in certain applications.
Q8. Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria? Are the reasons for any refusal given to the applicant? Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence and, if so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
Licensing policy follows closely the provisions and spirit of CITES. Any applicant aggrieved by a decision of the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation relating to the issue, refusal or cancellation of a licence or any condition specified in a licence may appeal to the Administrative Appeals Board.
Eligibility of Importers to Apply for Licence
Q9. Are all persons, firms and institutions eligible to apply for licences: (If not, is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation? What persons or firms are eligible? Is there a registration fee? Is there a published list of authorized importers?) a) under restrictive licensing systems? b) under non-restrictive systems?
Any person can lodge an application.
Documentational and Other Requirements for Application for Licence
Q10. What information is required in applications? Submit a sample form. What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
The required information is summarized in the application form available at https://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/conservation/con_end/con_end_lc/con_end_lc_app/files/AF243e18_final_20180502.pdf. With respect to live specimens, controls of and requirements for import of live animals and plants also apply. Online application for Import Licence is also available through the Trade Single Window at https://www.tradesinglewindow.hk/portal/en/index.html.
Q11. What documents are required upon actual importation?
Import licence issued by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department together with original of the CITES Export Permit issued by the exporting economy are required upon actual importation.
Q12. Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge? If so, what is the amount of the fee or charge?
The licence fees are as follows:
(a) Import Licence for live animals (one or more species) HK$460
(b) Import Licence other than live animals (one or more species) HK$170
Q13. Is there any deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issue of licences? If so, state the amount or rate, whether it is refundable, the period of retention and the purpose of the requirement.
No deposit or advance payment is required.
Conditions of Licensing
Q14. What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity of a licence be extended? How?
Import licences are normally valid for six months or less. The validity of a licence can be extended provided that the licensee lodges an application and gives satisfactory justification to the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation before its expiry.
Q15. Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
There is no penalty for non-utilization.
Q16. Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
The licence is not transferable.
Q17. Are any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence? a) for products subject to quantitative restriction? b) for products not subject to quantitative restriction?
Standard conditions, covering the requirement of presenting the shipment together with the required licence to authorized officers for inspection, are applicable.
Other Procedural Requirements
Q18. Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
There are no other administrative procedures required prior to importation.
Q19. Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported? Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange? Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued? What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?
The banking authorities automatically provide foreign exchange for goods to be imported. No licence is required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange.