Live animals
- 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.
A special permit is required for all live animals and birds imported into HKSAR. The permit must be obtained in advance from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department before animals/birds are sent to HKSAR. The terms and conditions of the permit must be fully complied with. Such animals or birds must be sent into HKSAR as manifest cargo.
Purposes and Coverage of Licensing
Q2. Identify each licensing system maintained and state what products, appropriately grouped, are covered.
A special permit issued by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department is required for the import of animals or birds.
Q3. The system applies to goods originating in and coming from which countries?
The system generally applies to any person bringing any animal or bird into HKSAR from all countries. For non CITES animals or birds imported directly from the Mainland, other rules may apply.
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 special permit is not used to restrict the quantity or value of imports, but to protect public and animal health; to provide for public safety and animal welfare; and to prevent cruelty to animals.
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 special permit system is a statutory requirement under the Public Health (Animals and Birds) Ordinance (Cap. 139) and/or the Rabies Ordinance (Cap. 421) with linkage to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance (Cap. 169). Legislation does not leave designation of the items to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion. Any changes to the special permit system 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 a special permit should be lodged well in advance of importation (at least five working days). However, the granting of a special permit is not automatic, and importation must not be arranged unless a permit is obtained in advance. The applicant may, after receiving a permit, need some time to comply with the terms and conditions of the permit, and should allow for this.
Q7.b. Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
Depending on circumstances a special permit may be granted, subject to the payment of the prescribed fee.
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?
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department has the sole authority to grant special permits.
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?
Applications may be rejected or refused if requirements cannot be met. Reasons for refusal will be given to the applicant. The applicant 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 may 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 at https://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/quarantine/qua_ie/qua_ie_ipab/qua_ie_ipab_idc/files/common/AF240_Jul16E.pdf. Online application for special permit 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?
The special permit and other documents specified by terms/conditions of the permit, and documents required under any other legislation 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 current fee schedule for special permits is available at https://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/quarantine/qua_ie/qua_ie_ipab/files/g110_fee_for_special_permit_jan18b.pdf.
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?
Permits are valid for six months. The validity of import permits may be extended for a month upon application at a fee of HK$155.
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?
Permits can be transferable between importers upon application and the payment of amendment fee of HK$155.
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?
Yes, varying according to the type of animal and country of origin.
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 requires 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.