2024/03/05
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Import of Birds, Poultry and Ostriches

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Import of Birds, Poultry and Ostriches

 

SPECIAL PERMIT

Birds (including poultry) 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 Special Permit (For Importation/Transit/Transshipment of Animals and Birds) Application Form – Form No. AF240 (415KB)  e-FormiAM Smart

An animal trader licence must be obtained in advance if the pet birds are imported for commercial marketing. For details, please click the icon of animal business on the website: www.pets.gov.hk

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. The fee for the first 50 birds is HK$344 and HK$78 for every additional 50 birds. 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 apply photo

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 and diagnostic tests for H5 avian influenza.

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 pet birds (428KB)  Revised on September 2023
Permit terms for poultry  (642KB)   --

 

TRANSSHIPMENT OF BIRDS

Special permits are required for transshipment of birds and poultry (involving change of aircraft or mode of transport in Hong Kong).

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

REMINDER

  • Due to the recent avian influenza outbreaks in a number of countries/places, temporary suspension was imposed on the import of live poultry and birds from the following countries/places with immediate effect until further notice.

  • Temporary suspension was imposed on the import of live poultry and birds from the following countries/places,

Cambodia Cote D'Ivoire
Indonesia India
Democratic People's Republic of Korea Vietnam
France  South Africa
 Mali Japan
USA Philippines
Guinea Mozambique
the Czech Republic -
  • The list includes countries/places where there were poultry/birds imported in the past 2 years. As for importing live poultry and birds from countries other than the above, please contact the Import and Export Division of this Department for enquiry.

  • Two sets of carbonised permits will be sent to the applicant. Please retain the top (white) copy for the retrieval of birds on arrival. The carrying airline and shipping company may require the shipper to produce the second copy before accepting the carriage of birds 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 birds unless a Special Permit has been obtained from this Department.

  • Birds 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 birds which have left Hong Kong need to be obtained from this Department in advance.

ENQUIRY

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

 
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