Press Releases

People reminded not to bring in endangered species without licence
Saturday, December 18, 2004

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (December 18) reminded people not to bring into Hong Kong endangered species without a licence on return from visits to other places.

A department spokesman said there had been an increase in the number of cases concerning travellers bringing back tourist items made from endangered species without licence.

"A total of 220 seizures were made at customs checkpoints from January to November this year, compared to 145 cases for the same period last year," he said.

Items commonly seized from travellers at customs checkpoints include orchid, cactus, American Ginseng root, coral skeleton, crocodile meat and crocodile leather products.

The spokesman urged travellers to pay more attention when buying wildlife products for souvenirs abroad. As some plant and animal species are facing the threat of extinction, import and export of such species are regulated under an international convention.

"Since it is not easy to know which wildlife souvenirs are made of endangered species, people should not purchase such items whenever they are in doubt. Moreover, they should be mindful of claims that licences are not required for certain endangered species because they may not be given the accurate and updated information," he said.

Under the Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance, the import, export or possession of endangered animals and plants, including their parts and derivatives, requires a licence which must be obtained in advance from the AFCD. The control applies to tourist items as well.

Any person found guilty of importing, exporting or possessing any endangered species, without a licence issued by the AFCD, is liable to a maximum fine of $5 million, imprisonment for two years and mandatory forfeiture of the specimens upon conviction, the spokesman added.

For details, please call the government hotline on 1823 or visit the related website on http://www.cites.org.hk.