AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT, HONG KONG
Plant Import Licence / Authorization - Guide for Applicants

In accordance with Section 4 of the Plant (Importation and Pest Control) Ordinance, Cap. 207, any plant imported into Hong Kong must be accompanied by a Plant Import Licence issued by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and a valid Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the plant protection authority of the exporting country.

No Plant Import Licence or Phytosanitary Certificate is required for import of the following items:-
Cut flowers;
Fruit & vegetables for consumption;
Grains, pulses, seeds and spices for human or animal consumption or for industrial use;
Timber and timber products including rattan and bamboo;
Dried tobacco and manufactured articles incorporating dried leaves;
Plants produced in and imported from any place in China outside Hong Kong.

Guideline for applying Plant Import Licence:-
(a)	In order to avoid unnecessary delay in customs clearance of plants on arrival, importers are advised to obtain a Plant Import Licence at the following office of this Department prior to ordering for shipment of plants.
Plant and Pesticides Regulatory Division,
5/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong	

(b)	Applicants are required to complete an application form to provide full details of:-	
	Name & address of applicant	*	Type of growing medium (if any)	
	Telephone number		Exporting country	
	Common name of plant(s)		Exporting nursery or company	
	Botanical name of plant(s)		Means of conveyance	
	Quantity to be imported		Expected date of arrival	
	Purpose of importation		Declaration of scheduled endangered plant species	
	* Authorization instead of Plant Import Licence may be issued for the importation of plants with peatmoss as growing medium, while the application procedure remains unchanged.
	
	Application forms and guidelines may be obtained from the above office, or by fax at (852) 2708 8885 through an interactive voice response system.  They may also be downloaded from the web site of this Department (http://www.afcd.gov.hk).	

(c)	The application form can be submitted in person, by mail, by fax (852) 2314 2622 or e-mail (plantlic@afcd.gov.hk)
to the above office.	
(d)	If application is found in order, a Plant Import Licence or an Authorization will normally be issued after 2 working days from receipt of the application.  Please specify method of collection in the application, (i) by collection over the Counter No.2 of this office OR (ii) by mail (Please provide a self-addressed envelope with stamp). 	

(e)	No fee shall be charged for an application and for the issue of a Plant Import Licence or an Authorization.
	
(f)	Upon receipt of a Plant Import Licence or an Authorization applicants should pay particular attention to and comply with the conditions specified in the document.	

Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, Cap.586, import of any scheduled endangered plants (including their parts and derivatives) shall be covered by CITES documents issued by a competent authority of the exporting / and importing place..  For details, please contact the Endangered Species Protection Division (Licensing Section) of this Department by phone at (852) 2150 6974 or by fax at (852) 2376 3749.

To obtain further details in respect of the Plant Import Licence, you may approach the above office in person or contact us by e-mail (plantlic@afcd.gov.hk), by phone ((852) 2150 7000) or by fax ((852) 2314 2622).  Meanwhile, you may also obtain information, forms and guidelines on various services of this Department by visiting our web site (http://www.afcd.gov.hk) or through our interactive voice response system at (852) 2708 8885.