Controlled Exports

Endangered Animals and Plants

The export of endangered species of animals and plants, whether alive, dead, parts or derivatives is controlled under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, Cap. 586.

To export any endangered species, a licence should be obtained for individual shipment in advance from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.

Other Live Plants, Animals and Birds

The export of non endangered live plants, animals and birds are not subject to control. However, the exporter MUST check and ensure in advance that he satisfies all import requirements of the destination country/countries. Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department provides health certification services to facilitate the export of live plants, animals and birds.

For details, please click here.

Please note that if the animals are to be re-imported into Hong Kong, they are subject to import control.

Under the Control of Chemicals Ordinance, Cap. 145, 36 substances which are precursors or essential chemicals for manufacture of dangerous drugs or psychotropic substances are placed under statutory control. Examples are acetic anhydride, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. (See "Licence and Permit Application")

The common types of dangerous drugs are stimulants, hypnotics, tranquilizers and sedatives. Examples are opium, morphine, heroin, cannabis, cocaine and amphetamines. A list of dangerous drugs is stipulated under First Schedule to the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, Cap. 134.

Export of dangerous drugs such as stimulants and hypnotics requires an export licence issued by the Department of Health. A valid import certificate will be required for the importing country.

There are four types of dutiable commodities in Hong Kong. They are liquors, tobacco (except smokeless tobacco and alternative smoking products), certain hydrocarbon oil and methyl alcohol. Export of these commodities requires a licence from the Customs and Excise Department. In addition, removal permits will also be required.(See "Dutiable Commodities")

Please note that to protect public health, importing and consigning of smokeless tobacco products and alternative smoking products are prohibited.

Explosives that fall under the Munitions List of Schedule I to the Import and Export (Strategic Commodities) Regulations, Cap. 60G, Laws of Hong Kong, are subject to export licensing control by the Trade and Industry Department with the prior endorsement of the Mines Division of the Civil Engineering and Development Department for explosives in general or Create HK for pyrotechnic special effects materials.

In addition to the export licence, export of explosives is subject to control under the Dangerous Goods Ordinance, Cap. 295 and the Entertainment Special Effects Ordinance, Cap. 560. For pyrotechnic special effects materials as defined under the Entertainment Special Effects Ordinance, please go to Create HK. For explosives other than the above, please go to the Civil Engineering and Development Department. For conveyance of explosives by sea, the master, agent or owner of the vessel is required to submit a dangerous goods manifest to the Director of Marine. The format of the Dangerous goods manifest can be obtained from the Marine Department.

Under the Firearms and Ammunition Ordinance, Cap. 238, possession of arms and ammunition is subject to a licence for possession or a dealer's licence issued by the Hong Kong Police Force. Apart from the common types of pistols, air guns and air rifles with muzzle energy greater than 2 joules, electric stun guns, aerosols containing noxious gas, liquid or powder e.g. dog repellents, harpoons, spear guns and crossbows with draw weight of more than 6 kg are also defined as arms under the Ordinance.

In addition, exportation of arms and ammunition that fall under the Munitions List of Schedule I to the Import and Export (Strategic Commodities) Regulations, Cap. 60G, also requires a licence from the Trade and Industry Department.

Under the Import and Export (General) Regulations, Cap. 60A, export of optical disc mastering and replication equipment is subject to a licence issued by the Customs and Excise Department. (See "Optical Disc Mastering and Replication Equipment")

Under the provisions of the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance, Cap. 403, certain ozone depleting substances are subject to quota and licensing control. The export of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, methyl chloroform, methyl bromide, carbon tetrachloride, hydrobromofluorocarbons (HBFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) as listed in the Schedule to the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance, Cap. 403, must be covered by a valid licence issued by Trade and Industry Department under the delegated authority from the Director of Environmental Protection. Export licences covering ozone depleting substances are only issued to traders registered under the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance. In addition, a permit issued by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department is also required for the export of methyl bromide.

The export of pesticides into Hong Kong is controlled under the Import and Export Ordinance, Cap. 60 and Pesticides Ordinance, Cap. 133. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, Cap. 60, an export licence must be obtained in advance from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for every consignment of pesticides exported from Hong Kong including those on valid through bills of lading. However, export licence for methyl bromide, which is both a pesticide and an ozone depleting substance, is issued by the Trade and Industry Department.

Under the Pesticides Ordinance, Cap. 133, companies handling pesticides import into Hong Kong whether for local use or subsequent re-export, must possess a pesticides licence or permit issued by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. A licence is required for pesticides registered in Hong Kong and a permit for those not registered. Pesticides imported / re-exported on a valid through bill of lading are exempted from the control of the Pesticides Ordinance.

In addition, the export of methyl bromide from Hong Kong is controlled under the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance, Cap. 403. Under the Ordinance, export of methyl bromide for local utilization is only allowed if it is used for quarantine and pre-shipment cargo treatment. Anyone who exports methyl bromide should hold a certificate of registration under the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance issued by the Trade and Industry Department and a Pesticides Permit under the Pesticides Ordinance issued by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.

Exportation of pharmaceutical products and medicines are controlled under Import and Export (General) Regulations, Cap. 60A and their exports must be covered by a licence issued by the Department of Health.

Pharmaceutical products and medicines exported in the personal baggage of a person leaving Hong Kong and which are accompanied by him and in a reasonable quantity for his personal use may be exempted from licensing requirement. Transhipment cargo may be exempted from licensing requirements under certain conditions. (See "Transhipment Cargo Exemption Scheme)

Exportation of medicines containing ingredients of highly endangered animals is subject to licensing control under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, Cap. 586, regulated by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.

The export of proprietary Chinese medicines (pCm) and 36 types Chinese herbal medicines (Chm) as listed in Schedule 1 to the Import and Export (General) Regulations, Cap. 60A, are subject to licensing control. Exportation of these articles must be covered by an export licence issued by the Department of Health.

Licensing requirement may be exempted when these articles are exported in the accompanied personal baggage of a person leaving Hong Kong and in a reasonable quantity for his personal use. Transhipment cargo may be exempted from licensing requirement under certain conditions. (See "Transhipment Cargo Exemption Scheme")

Enquiries relating to export licence on pCm and the controlled Chm can be made to the Chinese Medicines Regulatory Office of the Department of Health at 16/F, Two Landmark East, 100 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon.

Vehicles, vehicle parts, outboard engines exceeding 111.9 kilowatts (150 horsepower)

Under the Import and Export Ordinance, Cap. 60 , the carriage of prescribed articles onboard a vessel within the waters of Hong Kong is subject to a licence issued by the Customs and Excise Department. (See "Carriage Licence for Prescribed Articles")

The export of radio transmitting apparatus is controlled under the Telecommunications Ordinance, Cap. 106. Any person who exports these articles is required to obtain an export Permit from the Office of the Communications Authority unless he is a holder of a Radio Dealers Licence (Unrestricted) issued by the Office of the Communications Authority to deal in the course of trade or business in radio transmitting equipment.

Rice is the only reserved commodity under the Reserved Commodities (Control of Imports, Exports and Reserve Stocks) Regulations, Cap. 296A, Export licences for rice are issued by the Trade and Industry Department to cover re-export of rice.

No licence is required for the export of rice in the personal baggage of a person for personal consumption or as gifts, in an amount not exceeding 15 kg. Transhipment cargo may also be exempted from licensing requirements under certain conditions. (See "Transhipment Cargo Exemption Scheme")

Please view the introductory guidelines on the Rice Control Scheme of the Trade and Industry Department for details.

Products such as high performance digital computers, high speed and high density integrated circuits, sophisticated communication systems, nuclear materials, high precision machine tools, chemical weapon precursors, small arms, large artillery weapons, ammunition, bombs etc. and all articles for a use in connection with nuclear, chemical or biological weapons are generally considered as strategic commodities. Detailed definitions of strategic commodities are set out in the Schedules to the Import and Export (Strategic Commodities) Regulations, Cap. 60G.

To monitor and control the flow of strategic commodities and hence prevent Hong Kong from being used as a conduit for the proliferation of weapons and to guarantee Hong Kong's access to high technology products, export of strategic commodities, as required by the Import and Export Ordinance, Cap. 60 and the Import and Export (Strategic Commodities) Regulations, Cap. 60G, is subject to the licensing control by the Trade and Industry Department.

Rough diamonds, as defined under the Import and Export (General) Regulations, Cap. 60A, means diamonds that are unworked or simply sawn, cleaved or bruted.

Under the Regulation, any persons conducting business of importing, exporting, buying, selling or carrying rough diamonds must be registered with the Trade and Industry Department and comply with certain requirements. However, persons that fall under paragraph 1A of reg. 6DB of the Regulations and only carry on business of carrying rough diamonds are exempted from the registration requirement with the Trade and Industry Department. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, Cap. 60, the export of rough diamonds is subject to licensing control. Exporters must obtain Kimberley Process Certificate (Export) issued by the Trade and Industry Department before exporting any consignments of rough diamonds.

Registered carriers, couriers or freight forwarders or persons who carry on business of carrying rough diamonds and fall under paragraph 1A of reg. 6DB of Regulations areexempted from obtaining Kimberley Process Certificate (Export) for consignment of rough diamonds in transit or as air transshipment cargo, on condition that the rough diamonds are sealed in a container, and that the container has not been tampered with and the seals on the container remain intact. Transshipment of rough diamonds by other transportation modes covered by a through bill of lading or a through air waybill may be exempted from the certification requirements, provided that the registered carriers, couriers or freight forwarders have applied for transshipment exemption and comply with the conditions of exemption.

Enquiries can be made to the Rough Diamonds and Ozone Depleting Substances Licensing Unit of the Trade and Industry Department at Room 1604, 16/F, Trade and Industry Tower, 3 Concorde Road, Kowloon City, Hong Kong.

The export of waste, as set out in Section 20B of the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO), Cap. 354, is subject to control by the Environmental Protection Department. Under the control, export of any waste requires a permit issued by the Department unless the waste is:

1. listed in the Sixth Schedule of the WDO
2. uncontaminated as defined under the WDO and
3. intended for a genuine recycling or reuse purpose

Common examples of the 6th Schedule wastes are paper waste, textile waste, metal scrap and solid plastic waste. Common examples of hazardous wastes (non-6th Schedule wastes) are clinical waste, waste Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT) in computer monitors or television sets, and waste batteries.

Under the Hazardous Chemicals Control Ordinance, Cap. 595, the export of non-pesticide hazardous chemicals as set out in Schedules 1 and 2 to this Ordinance is subject to permit control. Any person exporting scheduled chemicals, including transiting (for Type 1 chemicals under Schedule 1) and transhipping (for Types 1 and 2 chemicals under Schedules 1 and 2), must first obtain a valid activity-based export permit issued by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD).

Under the Import and Export Ordinance, Cap. 60, a consignment-based export licence must also be obtained in advance from the EPD for every consignment of scheduled chemicals to be exported, including those on valid through bills of lading. Exemption would be given to transit cargo (for Type 1 chemicals only) and air transhipment cargo (for Types 1 and 2 chemicals) but certain conditions must be met.

Enquiries relating to activity-based permit or consignment-based licence can be made to the Territorial Control Office (Hazardous Chemicals Control) of the Environment Protection Department at 28/F Southorn Centre, 130 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.

The Weapons Ordinance, Cap. 217, forbids the possession of the prohibited weapons, such as Chinese-style throwing dart, knuckleduster, spring-loaded steel baton, gravity knife and gravity-operated steel baton, as listed in the Schedule of the Ordinance.

Regulation

The Import and Export (General)(Amendment) Regulation 2013 (with effect from 1 March 2013) prohibits the unlicensed export of powdered formula, including milk powder and soya milk powder, for infants and children under 36 months.

"Powdered formula"

"Powdered formula" means a substance in powder form that -

1. is or appears to be for consumption by a person aged under 36 months; and
2. is or appears to be milk or milk-like substance in powder form to satisfy wholly or partly the nutritional requirement of a person aged under 36 months.

Exemption

The Import and Export (General)(Amendment) Regulation 2013 does not apply to powdered formula (whether of the same composition and whether in one or more containers) that is exported in the accompanied personal baggage of a person aged 16 or above leaving Hong Kong –

1. if
   1. the person did not leave Hong Kong in the last 24 hours; and
   2. the formula does not exceed 1.8 kg in total net weight; or
2. if
   1. the person left Hong Kong one or more times in the last 24 hours;
   2. the person is leaving Hong Kong together with a person aged under 36 months (child); and
   3. the formula is in an unsealed container and does not exceed a reasonable quantity for the child"s consumption during the travelling time from a point of exit in Hong Kong to the next point of entry in a place outside Hong Kong.

Offenders are liable on conviction to a fine of HK$500,000 and to imprisonment for 2 years.

Enquiry

For enquiries relating to the application for export licence, please contact the Trade and Industry Department (TID) at (852) 3403 6220 , or send e-mail to Trade and Industry Department or please refer to their website for further details.

If there are any enquiries about the control announced by the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) on regulating the export of powdered formula, please contact Environment and Ecology Bureau. Please click here for details of the control measures, including frequently asked questions.

Under the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (Toothfish Catch Documentation Scheme) Regulation, Cap. 635A, any export or re-export of live or dead toothfish items, including any flesh or other part (whether raw, or in any way processed or preserved) is prohibited except under and in accordance with an export licence or a re-export licence issued by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.

No licence is required for the toothfish items exported or re-exported in the personal baggage of a person for personal consumption or as gifts, in an amount not exceeding 15 kg.

Under the Mercury Control Ordinance, Cap. 640, the export of mercury and mercury mixture shall be covered by a permit issued by the Environmental Protection Department. In addition, the export of mercury-added products (e.g. non-electronic thermometer, cosmetics having a mercury content exceeding 1ppm) is prohibited.