2023/11/22
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Import of Reptiles, Rodents and Miscellaneous Pet Mammals

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SPECIAL PERMIT

Animals should not be brought into Hong Kong (either import or transshipment/transit) unless a Special Permit to do so is obtained in advance from this Department.

THE RELEVANT ORDINANCE

The Public Health (Animals and Birds) Ordinance Cap. 139 is enforced by this Department through regulating the import of animals and birds for the prevention and introduction of animal diseases into Hong Kong.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

The applicant should submit the application in a prescribed form ( Special Permit (For Importation/Transit/Transshipment of Animals and Birds) - Form AF240 (130KB)  e-FormiAM Smart) for the import of reptiles, rodents and lagomorphs. For the import of food/pet turtles, please submit the application in a prescribed form (Special Permit (For the importation/Transshipment of Food/Pet Turtles) - Form AF240-T (132KB)  e-FormiAM Smart)

Downloading of the forms for viewing and printing can be done through the use of the Adobe(R) Acrobat(R) Reader software which is available free at the Adobe Systems Incorporated website.

Facsimile copies are also available from the interactive telephone: (852) 2708 8885. The form can also be obtained by dialing (852) 1823.

If the animals are imported for trading purpose, applicants must obtain an Animal Trader License in advance. For details, please visit http://www.pets.gov.hk/ and click to the link of animal business for information.  

Applicants have to show their Hong Kong Identity Card or passport when submitting the application. For postal application, applicants have to submit the application form, cheque together with a photocopy of Hong Kong Identity Card or passport. Please note that the submitted documents will not be returned.

PAYMENT OF PERMIT FEE

Fee must be paid at the time of the application. For the import of reptiles, the fee for the first 200 animals (200kg for food turtle) are HK$344 and HK$78 for every additional 200 animals (200kg for food turtle). For the import of rodents and lagomorphs, the fee for the first 50 animals are HK$344 and HK$78 for every additional 50 animals.Crossed local cheque or e-payment is acceptable for local application. For details regarding the e-payment, please contact our officer at Tel: 2150 7065. For overseas application, the fee should be paid by a bank draft in Hong Kong currency payable to "The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region". The bankdraft must be drawn upon a licenced bank in Hong Kong.

WHERE TO APPLY

Either in person or by post to:

Permit & Certification Section (Counter No. 10), Import & Export Division, 5th Floor, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Office hours:
Monday to Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 noon, 1:30 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.
(Close on Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays.)

Applicant can also apply for the Special Permit through the Trade Single Window. More information can be viewed at www.tradesinglewindow.hk.

PROCESSING TIME

3 working days, subject to provision of all required information (i.e. it takes 5 working days from the date of receipt of application and permit fee to the date of issue).

Please apply in advance and make allowances for mailing time.

DISPATCH OF PERMIT

By ordinary mail (local) or air mail (overseas) to the address as indicated in the application form. Please enclose a self-addressed envelope together with the application (No stamp is required). To avoid postal delay, the applicant may choose to pick up the permit at the licensing office in person or by an appointed agent. The permit will not be dispatched by fax.

OVERSEAS APPLICATION

To minimise inconvenience and to expedite urgent applications, overseas applicants may nominate a person or agent in Hong Kong to apply for the permit on their behalf.

VALIDITY OF THE PERMIT

Valid for 6 months and for one consignment only. Animals must be imported on or before the expiry date of the permit. If extension is required, application and fee must be submitted before the permit expired. The permit will only be extended for 30 days in every application, and it takes 3 working days for the extension process from the date of receipt of application and fee.

IMPORT REQUIREMENTS

All permit terms and conditions must be fully complied with. Please download:

Permit terms for commercial (PDF format) consignments, non-commercial (PDF format) consignments, and food reptiles (PDF format).

Veterinary health certificate for food reptiles (PDF format).

TRANSSHIPMENT OF ANIMALS 

Special permits are required for the transshipment of reptiles, rodents and lagomorphs (involving change of aircraft or mode of transport in Hong Kong).

If the animals remain in the same aircraft or vessel, a Special Permit is not required. However, importers must comply with the requirements imposed by the  country/pace of destination. If in doubt, please contact your transportation company or airline company.

IMPORTANT NOTICE ON IMPORTATION OF REPTILES

Reptile is a diverse group of animals and each species has different characteristics. Prior assessment will be conducted before considering the issuance of permit for its import. The major factors we will take into account are: level of domestication of the species, risk of diseases introduction, animal welfare, public safety, ecological impact and etc.

Please email us the scientific name of the species before submitting the application. Additional information may be required for further consideration.

REMINDER

  • Two sets of carbonised permits will be sent to the applicant. Please retain the top (white) copy for the retrieval of animals on arrival. The carrying airline and shipping company may require the shipper to produce the second copy before accepting the carriage of animals in the exporting country/place.

  • To import a species controlled by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the importer must also apply for the appropriate CITES permit from this Department. To ascertain whether the species is a protected species, full scientific names (genus and species) of the animals to be imported must be provided in the application form.

  • Do not arrange for the transportation of your pets unless a Special Permit has been obtained from this Department.

  • Animals which have left Hong Kong are subject to the same importation and quarantine restrictions as outlined above on their return to Hong Kong. Special Permits to bring back animals which have left Hong Kong need to be obtained from this Department in advance.

ENQUIRY

Tel : (852) - 1823
Email : icsenquiry@afcd.gov.hk