Licensing and Inspection Requirements

Licensing Requirements

The control regime of endangered species under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance in Hong Kong follows closely the requirements under CITES.

Appendix I Species

• The import, introduction from the sea, export, re-export or possession of an Appendix I species requires a licence issued in advance by this Department. Each licence is valid for one shipment at one time and in one lot or for one keeping premises.
  
  
• Commercial trade in an Appendix I species of wild origin is not allowed and this Department will not issue a licence.
  
  
• Appendix I animals bred in captivity for commerical purposes from CITES registered farms and Appendix I plants artificially propagated for commercial purposes are treated as Appendix II specimens and subject to the same control as Appendix II specimens of wild origin.
  
  
• Examples

Appendix II Species

• The import and introduction from the sea of an Appendix II species is subject to the production of a valid CITES export permit and inspection by an authorized officer upon the landing of the specimen in Hong Kong
  
  
• If it is a live specimen of wild origin, a licence issued in advance by this Department is also required. Each licence is valid for one shipment at one time and in one lot.
  
  
• The export or re-export of an Appendix II species requires a licence issued in advance by this Department. Each licence is valid for one shipment at one time and in one lot.
  
  
• The possession of a live specimen of wild origin of these species requires a licence, which is issued for each keeping premises.
  
  
• Examples

Appendix III Species

• The import of an Appendix III species is subject to the production of a valid CITES export permit or a certificate of origin and inspection by an authorized officer upon its landing in Hong Kong.
  
  
• Its export or re-export requires a licence issued in advance by this Department.
  
  
• Examples

For the details of the licensing requirement, please refer to the Ordinance.

Inspection Requirements

All import, introduction-from-the-sea, export and re-export shipments of scheduled species, whether or not a licence is required, must be inspected by an authorized officer upon landing in Hong Kong or prior to export.To ensure that clearance is not delayed, the importer or exporter should: