Notice to customers of American ginseng returning from Canada and the United States of America

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) is a perennial plant that has been widely adopted as a tonic herb. Facing the threat of over-exploitation, it has been listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to regulate its trades.

In Hong Kong, the trade of American ginseng is subject to licensing control under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (the Ordinance), Cap.586, the local legislation which gives effect to the CITES. Unless otherwise exempted (see below), import of American ginseng (whole and sliced roots and parts of roots), no matter it’s from wild or cultivated origin, requires a valid CITES export permit issued by the exporting country.

Under the Ordinance, the exemption is provided for the import of American ginseng as personal effects if all the listed conditions below are fulfilled (except for living specimen):

i) personally owned or possessed for non-commercial purposes;

ii) legally acquired (evidence such as a purchasing invoice required);

iii) included in personal baggage or carried by the person at the time of import; and

iv) such exemption is implemented in the countries/regions of export, such as the U.S.A and Canada*

*This exemption is implemented for customer acquired the American ginseng outside his/her usual place of residence.

In addition to above conditions, particular requirements from Canada are highlighted below.  

Canada

i) Quantity (must not exceed 4.5 kg/10 lbs);

ii) sticker permit issued by the Canada CITES Management Authority affixed to the package;

More information about the exporting control of Canada can be found here.

The country-specific requirements are for reference only and may subject to change. You are strongly advised to contact the CITES Management Authority (MA) of the exporting country to clarify the local export regulations and ensure that the proposed export complies with the exporting country’s regulations. The contact of CITES Management Authority from different countries can be found here.

If you have any question on trading controls of American ginseng in Hong Kong, please contact us at (852) 2150 6974 and (852) 2150 6979 OR email to hk_cites@afcd.gov.hk.

Information on import and export of endangered species is also available from our website.

 

Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department

Jan 2022

Gift set of American ginseng