Import Regulations & Standards
The import regulations imposed by the countries time to time to ensure Food Safety and Quality assurance includes non Tariff barriers for the various food products.
| S.No. | Circulation Date | Country | Report Title | Report Highlights | View Regulations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21 AUG 2024 | Hong Kong (HK) | Hong Kong to Implement New Raw Meat and Poultry Import Protocol | FAIRS Subject Report, Poultry and Products, Livestock and Products, Agricultural Situation, Agriculture in the News, Agriculture in the Economy, National Plan, Policy and Program Announcements, Trade Policy Incident Report, Trade Policy Monitoring, Sanitary/Phytosanitary/Food Safety | Click here |
| 2 | 09 AUG 2024 | Hong Kong (HK) | FAIRS Country Report Annual | This report provides guidelines on Hong Kong s food import regulations. For the 2024 FAIRS report, the following changes have been made: 1) Section III Packaging. Plastic Beverages Containers (PPRS) implementation date update, 2) Section IV: Food Additive Regulations. Amendment on Preservatives Legislation implementation date update, Section VI Other Requirements, Regulations, and Registration Measures. 3) Update on Hong Kong s Amendment to its Import Protocol for Red Meats and Poultry, 4) Attestation of radioactivity in food for Hong Kong, and lastly 5) Reminder that ethylene oxide (ETO) is not permitted for food use in Hong Kong. | Click here |
| 3 | 25 JUL 2023 | Hong Kong (HK) | FAIRS Annual Country Report Annual | This report provides guidelines on Hong Kong’s food import regulations. For the 2023 FAIRS report, the following changes have been made: 1) Section II – Labeling. Effective December 1, 2023, food containing hydrogenated oils must be labeled, 2) Instructions for brand name and food name on package have been updated, 3) Section III – Packaging. Glass Beverage Containers Scheme (GPRS) information update after implementation on May 1, 2023, and 4) Section VI: Other Requirements, Regulations, and Registration Measures. Effective February 1, 2023, | Click here |
| 4 | 21 JUL 2023 | Hong Kong (HK) | FAIRS Export Certificate Report Annual | Hong Kong does not have any certification changes for food imports since the last report submitted in July 2022. This report lists the certificates required by the Hong Kong Government (HKG) for U.S. agricultural and food exports to Hong Kong. Certificate samples are included in the appendix. | Click here |
| 5 | 05 JUL 2022 | Hong Kong (HK) | Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Export Certificate Report | Hong Kong does not have any certification changes for food imports since the last report submitted in June 2021. This report lists the certificates required by the Hong Kong Government (HKG) for U.S. agricultural and food exports to Hong Kong. Certificate samples are included in the appendix. A new version of certificates by Agricultural Marketing Service for shell eggs is provided in the 2022 report. | Click here |
| 6 | 13 JUN 2022 | Hong Kong (HK) | Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Country Report | The following changes have been made to the 2022 FAIRS report: 1) Section II – Labeling. Effective December 1, 2023, food containing hydrogenated oils must be labeled. 2) Section III – Packaging. Glass and plastic bottles will be subject to additional levies. 3) Section VI – Other Requirements, Regulations, and Registration Measures. Hong Kong is introducing plant registration requirements for meat and products and is engaging trading partners individually to start this process | Click here |
| 7 | 02 AUG 2021 | Hong Kong (HK) | Hong Kong Passed Amendment to Harmful Substances in Food Regulation | The Legislative Council passed the Harmful Substances in Food (Amendment) Regulation 2021 on July 14, 2021. The goal of the legislation is to enhance the regulation of harmful substances such as industrially produced trans fats and mycotoxins in food. | Click here |
| 8 | 14 MAY 2021 | Hong Kong (HK) | Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Country Report | The following changes have been made to the 2021 FAIRS report: Section III - Packaging Sustainability Measures; Section V- Harmful Substances in Food Regulations under Contaminants Control Regulations; Section VII- Plant-based Meat and/or Dairy Alternatives; and Section IX- Reexport Procedure for Hemp Products. | Click here |
| 9 | 02 FEB 2021 | Hong Kong (HK) | Microbial Food Ingredients Encounter No Regulatory Barriers in Hong Kong | Hong Kong’s first vegan lab-grown ice cream launched recently amid the growing awareness of plantbased meats by Hong Kong consumers inspired by global trends and the availability of Impossible Foods, Beyond Meat, and Omnipork in the local market. | Click here |
| 10 | 15 JAN 2021 | Hong Kong (HK) | Hong Kong Took Further Action in the WTO on US Origin Marking Requirement | On January 14, 2021, Hong Kong requested the World Trade Organization (WTO) Dispute Settlement Mechanism (DBS) to set up a panel to consider its dispute with the United States on the United States’ recent origin marking requirement for Hong Kong products. | Click here |
| 11 | 14 JAN 2021 | Hong Kong (HK) | Hong Kong Proposes to Amend the Harmful Substances in Food Regulations | The Hong Kong government (HKG) has launched a public consultation on its proposed amendments to the Harmful Substances in Food Regulations. | Click here |
| 12 | 25 SEP 2020 | Hong Kong (HK) | Hong Kong to Resume Imports of Poultry and Poultry Products from Anson County of North Carolina | Following the successful eradication of low path avian influenza from the affected premises in Anson and Union Counties North Carolina. | Click here |
| 13 | 13 JUL 2020 | Hong Kong (HK) | Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Country Report | This report provides guidelines on Hong Kong’s food import regulations. It remains the same as the 2019 FAIRS report. | Click here |
| 14 | 30 JUN 2020 | Hong Kong (HK) | Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Export Certificate Report | Hong Kong does not have any certification changes for food imports since the last report submitted in February 2020. | Click here |
| 15 | 07 FEB 2020 | Hong Kong (HK) | Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Export Certificate Report | Hong Kong does not have any certification changes for food imports in 2019. This report is the same as the 2018 report. | Click here |
| 16 | 03 FEB 2020 | Hong Kong (HK) | Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Country Report | Hong Kong enacted the Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) (Amendment) Regulation 2018. | Click here |
| 17 | 29 JAN 2020 | Hong Kong (HK) | Hong Kong Lifts the Ban on Romaine Lettuce from Salinas | Effective January 24, 2020, Hong Kong lifted its ban on the importation and sale of romaine lettuce from Salinas, California. | Click here |
| 18 | 14 MAY 2019 | Hong Kong (HK) | Macau Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards | This report provides general background information on Macau’s Food Import Regulations and includes the following additions to the 2018 report. 1) Section 1 – Regulatory Setup: The reorganization of the Macau food safety authority; 2) Section II – Food Additive Regulations; and 3) Section VI – Other Specific Standards: The implementation of the Regulation on Maximum Limits of Heavy Metal Contaminants in Food and the Regulation on Standard for Uses of Preservatives and Antioxidants in Foodstuffs. | Click here |
| 19 | 28 DEC 2018 | Hong Kong (HK) | Great Sales of U.S. Foods and Beverages at HK Wine and Dine Festival | Six participants with nine booths at the U.S.A. Pavilion reported on-site sales and orders of over US$85,000 and US$30,000, respectively, at Hong Kong’s Wine and Dine Festival 2018 | Click here |
| 20 | 14 DEC 2018 | Hong Kong (HK) | Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Report | Hong Kong does not have any certification changes for food imports in 2018. This report is the same as the 2017 report. This report lists the certificates required by the Hong Kong government (HKG) for U.S. agricultural and food exports to Hong Kong. Certificate samples for various product categories are included in the appendix. | Click here |
| 21 | 14 DEC 2018 | Hong Kong (HK) | Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Report | Hong Kong enacted the Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) (Amendment) Regulation 2018. The Amendment Regulation takes effect November 1, 2019 for fresh and perishable products and November 1, 2020 for all products. Apart from updating the corresponding section in the FAIRS report, other parts of the report remain the same as the 2017 FAIRS report. | Click here |
| 22 | 06 JUL 2018 | Hong Kong (HK) | Macau Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Report | This report provides general background information on Macau’s Food Import Regulations. | Click here |
| 23 | 10 APR 2018 | Hong Kong (HK) | Import Regulations on Alcoholic Drinks to Hong Kong and Macau | This report provides general guidelines on import regulations for alcoholic beverages to Hong Kong and Macau. Spirits exports to Hong Kong and Macau are subject to an import duty, but wine and beer are not. Hong Kong exempts beverages with more than a 10 percent alcohol content from Hong Kong’s labeling requirements, but requires that the alcohol content be stated on the product. | Click here |
| 24 | 14 DEC 2017 | Hong Kong (HK) | Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards - Certification | In 2017, the Hong Kong Government (HKG) confirmed that U.S. bison meat can be exported to Hong Kong with a Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) health certificate (FSIS 9060-5). No other changes since the last report. This report lists the certificates required by the HKG for U.S. agricultural and food exports to Hong Kong. Certificate samples for various product categories are included in the appendix | Click here |
| 25 | 14 DEC 2017 | Hong Kong (HK) | Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards - Narrative | The updates to this report include the framework of the proposed amendment to Hong Kong’s metallic contamination regulation. Other parts of the report remain the same as the 2016 FAIRS report. | Click here |
| 26 | 14 DEC 2016 | Hong Kong (HK) | Hong Kong : Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards - Narrative | Updates to the report include new certification requirements for imported shell eggs and pasteurized, liquid and powdered egg products, new nutrition labelling requirements for follow-up formula and prepackaged food for infants and young children, and heightened awareness of Hong Kong’s utilization of the Codex standard for ractopamine residues of 10 ppb in beef products. | Click here |
| 27 | 12 DEC 2016 | Hong Kong (HK) | Hong Kong : Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards - Certification | This report lists the certificates required by the Hong Kong government (HKG) for U.S. exports to Hong Kong. Certificate samples for various product categories are included in the appendix. | Click here |
| 28 | 12 AUG 2015 | Hong Kong (HK) | Hong Kong : Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards - Certification | U.S. egg products, including shell eggs, powdered and liquid egg products, will be required to have a health certificate for export to Hong Kong effective December 5, 2015. The U.S. and the Hong Kong government are still working on the attestations on the health certificates. | Click here |
| 29 | 11 AUG 2015 | Hong Kong (HK) | Hong Kong : Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards - Narrative | Updates include pending legislation to require mandatory certification for imported shell eggs and pasteurized, liquid and powdered egg products (as of December 5, 2015), to impose regulatory controls on claims on infant formulas and foods and to strengthen regulation of the production and supply of edible fats and oils. | Click here |
| 30 | 30 DEC 2014 | Hong Kong (HK) | Hong Kong : Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards - Certification | A new beef letterhead certificate was implemented in June 2014 in accordance with full market access granted by Hong Kong to U.S. beef and beef products. During the past five years, the U.S. has exported neither bison nor ostrich meat to Hong Kong, thus, port requirements will be reviewed for any shipments in the future in the context of the animal disease situation and U.S. surveillance program. The HKG has shelved plans for mandatory certification for egg and seafood products. No other significant export certificate changes occurred since the previous report. | Click here |
| 31 | 30 DEC 2014 | Hong Kong (HK) | Hong Kong : Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards - Narrative | U.S. beef cuts and offal products attained full market access to Hong Kong on June 17th, 2014. New requirements for nutritional composition of infant formula and labeling on infant formula will come into effect on December 13th, 2015. For follow-up formula and pre-packaged food for children under 36 months of age, new nutritional labeling requirements will apply as of June 13, 2016. | Click here |
| 32 | 12 DEC 2013 | Hong Kong (HK) | Hong Kong Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards - Certification | There were no significant changes since the last report except that a new version of the letterhead certificate for beef replaced the old one in February 2013 following the access to the Hong Kong market of U.S. bone-in beef derived from cattle under 30 months of age. | Click here |
| 33 | 06 DEC 2013 | Hong Kong (HK) | Hong Kong Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards - Narrative | U.S. bone-in beef products derived from cattle under 30 months of age and boneless beef over 30 months of age have been allowed entry to Hong Kong since February 2013. Discussion on further expanding product cuts to access the market is underway (Section VII). | Click here |
| 34 | 17 JUN 2013 | Hong Kong (HK) | Hong Kong Macao Passed Food Safety Law | The Macao Government notified World Trade Organization members of its passing of the Food Safety Law (Law No 5/2013) in March 2013 via notification G/SPS/N/MAC/11. The Law will become effective October 20, 2013. | Click here |
| 35 | 03 DEC 2012 | Hong Kong (HK) | Hong Kong Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards - Certification | This report lists the certificates required by the Hong Kong government (HKG) for U.S. exports to Hong Kong. | Click here |
| 36 | 11 OCT 2012 | Hong Kong (HK) | Hong Kong Nutrition Labeling Regulation’s Impact on Food Choices | The Hong Kong government (HKG) conducted two series of surveys gauging the impact of the newly implemented nutrition labeling regulation impact on food choices. The surveys indicated that prepackaged food items in the market amounted to 73,000 before the implementation of the nutrition labeling regulation. The number of food items increased slightly to 78,000 when the final part of the survey was conducted seven months after the inception of the new regulation. The HKG concluded that the implementation of the new regulation did not have any apparent impact on consumers’ food choices. However, it may arrive at a different conclusion if individual retail categories rather than the aggregate figures of all retail outlets were looked at. | Click here |
| 37 | 06 DEC 2011 | Hong Kong (HK) | Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards - Narrative | With the commencement of the Genetically Modified Organisms (Control of Release) Ordinance and the Genetically Modified Organisms (Documentation for Import and Export) Regulation in March 2011, there are documentation requirements for shipments containing living modified organisms. The Food Safety Ordinance, a new food law, which introduces a food tracing mechanism by requiring traders to register and keep trade records commenced in August 2011 with a six-month grace period. New legislative initiatives for 2012 include mandatory certification requirements for egg imports and the introduction of Hong Kong’s new pesticide regulation. Updates on Hong Kong’s proposed pesticide framework are provided in Section V. | Click here |
| 38 | 10 DEC 2010 | Hong Kong (HK) | Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards - Certification | This report lists the certificates required by the Hong Kong government (HKG) for U.S. exports to Hong Kong. Certificate samples for various product categories are included in the appendix. There have not been any changes in Hong Kong’s certificate requirements since the 2009 report. | Click here |