Import and Export (General)(Amendment) Regulation 2013
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Scope of Control |
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| Q1 | Under the Import and Export (General)(Amendment) Regulation 2013 (Amendment Regulation), what articles will be prohibited from export? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A1 | The export of powdered formula (including milk powder and soya milk powder) for infants and young children under 36 months from Hong Kong will be prohibited except with a licence issued by the Director-General of Trade and Industry. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q2 | What does �powdered formula� cover under its definition in the Amendment Regulation? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A2 | According to the relevant definition, the Amendment Regulation is applicable to formula milk powder, soya milk powder and general milk powder (such as skimmed milk powder for consumption by persons aged over one year) for consumption by infants and young children under 36 months. However, the definition does not cover the types of powder which, after preparation, do not appear to be milk-like substance, for example, powder made from orange, rice, wheat or other types of cereal. |
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| Q3 | Can you list some examples of powdered formula for infants and young children under 36 months? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A3 | Some examples of such powdered formula are:
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| Q4 | Is powdered formula intended for infants and young children with special nutritional needs included in the Amendment Regulation? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A4 | As such powdered formula is also a major food source for the infants and young children concerned, we consider there is a need to include such products in the Amendment Regulation. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q5 | Is powdered formula intended for one to ten years old as specified on the products included in the Amendment Regulation? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A5 | As such powdered formula is also for consumption by infants and young children under 36 months and can serve as a substitute for breast milk to fulfill their nutritional requirements, we consider there is a need to include such products in the Amendment Regulation. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2. Application for Export Licence |
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| Q6 | Who is eligible for an export licence? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A6 | The Trade and Industry Department would in general issue export licences only to importers of �infant/follow-up/growing-up formula (for babies up to 36 months)� who have registered under the Food Safety Ordinance or those importers exempted under section 4(3)(a) of the Food Safety Ordinance from the registration requirement under the Ordinance. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q7 | What documents are required for the application for export licence? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A7 | Applicants are required by the Trade and Industry Department to submit import documents to prove that the batch of powdered formula concerned is directly imported from other places. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q8 | Is an export licence required for transit/ transhipment cargo? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A8 | Carriers, couriers or freight forwarders do not need to obtain an export licence in respect of a consignment of powdered formula in transit or as air transhipment cargo, provided that the consignment of powdered formula satisfies the relevant provisions set out in the Import and Export Ordinance. Currently, shipping companies, airlines and freight forwarders registered under the Transhipment Cargo Exemption Scheme of the Trade and Industry Department are, subject to certain conditions, exempted from the import and export licensing requirements under the Ordinance in respect of certain types of transhipment cargo. Such exemption arrangements are applicable under the Amendment Regulation. |
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3. Individuals departing Hong Kong |
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| Q9 | Are individuals departing Hong Kong allowed to carry any powdered formula? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A9 | Having regard to the fact that those departing Hong Kong may need powdered formula for personal use, each person aged 16 (the present statutory minimum age for getting married in Hong Kong) or above may carry not more than a total net weight of 1.8 kg of powdered formula. . In general, the maximum net weight of a can of powdered formula is 0.9 kg. This means each person may bring two cans of powdered formula under the Amendment Regulation. The 1.8 kg exemption should only be applicable to a person on his/her first departure from Hong Kong within a 24-hour period. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q10 | Are individuals who left Hong Kong one or more times in the last 24 hours allowed to carry any powdered formula? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A10 | The Amendment Regulation allows such person (aged 16 or above) to carry powdered formula, provided that (i) he/she travels with an infant or young child aged under 36 months; (ii) the powdered formula is in an unsealed container; and (iii) the quantity does not exceed a reasonable quantity for consumption by the infant or child during the travelling time from the Hong Kong point of exit to the next point of entry in a place outside Hong Kong. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4. Commencement of Regulation |
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| Q11 | When will the Amendment Regulation commence? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A11 | The Amendment Regulation was tabled at the Legislative Council on 27 February 2013 for negative vetting and has commenced since 1 March 2013. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. Penalty |
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| Q12 | What will be the penalty for contravening the relevant provision? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A12 | Any person who contravenes the relevant provision shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine of $500,000 and to imprisonment for two years. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6. Publicity and Consultation |
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| Q13 | Has the Government conducted any consultation? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A13 | We conducted a public consultation from 7 February 2013 till 18 February 2013. We held a trade consultation session on 7 February 2013. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q14 | How would the public know about the new requirements under the Amendment Regulation? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A14 | The Government published a press release on the day of gazettal of the Amendment Regulation and kicked off a series of public promotional activities. We have launched a radio API on 27 February 2013. Leaflets are distributed and posters are displayed at all control points and in the city at the commencement of the Amendment Regulation to inform those departing Hong Kong of the new requirements. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q15 | How would the trade know about the new requirements under the Amendment Regulation? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A15 | In addition to the press release, the Trade and Industry Department has distributed a trade circular to importers of infant/follow-up/growing-up formula (for babies up to 36 months) to set out the new requirements and details of the Amendment Regulation. See http://www.tid.gov.hk/english/import_export/nontextiles/powdered_formula/pf012013.html |
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