Background
In view of COVID-19 pandemic, it is of paramount importance to maintain a stable food supply in Hong Kong. The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department fully supports the development of new channels for importing fresh food via the sea-route. The CFS conducts inspections and clearance work for fruits and vegetables imported from the Mainland by sea.
The CFS has formed a task force to handle vegetables and fruits imported from the Mainland by sea. Physical inspection of vegetables and fruits, including examination of the accompanying documents and sample collection according to a risk-based approach for testing, will be conducted at the temporary food inspection checkpoint set up at the New Yau Ma Tei Public Cargo Working Area and the existing food inspection checkpoint of the Kwai Chung Customhouse. In addition, the CFS has also set up a 24-hour hotline for the trade to enquire about the new arrangement to facilitate the release of consignments.
Since 19 February 2022, vegetables and fruits have been shipped to Hong Kong from Guangzhou Panyu Lianhuashan Port, Shenzhen Yantian Port, Shenzhen Dachan Bay, Shekou Container Terminal and Nansha New Port in the Mainland. All inspection work runs smoothly.
In addition to expanding water transportation, the CFS will also give active support to promote the rail route transportation being planned and the implementation of various measures to improve land transport arrangements.
New arrangement as a contingency measure
Prior to the import, the importer should check with the shipping company for arrangement of shipping logistics, and should comply with the established port formalities. To facilitate smooth and swift release of consignment, the importer is advised to submit Food Consignment Arrival Report (FEHB 301) for every consignment of vegetables and fruits two days before the arrival to the Food Import and Export Section (Waterfront Office) of the CFS.
Food Import and Export Section (Waterfront Office)
Address: Rm T216, Mezzanine Floor, Link Block 2, Cheung Sha Wan Wholesale Food Market, Kowloon
Fax. No.: 2361 7349
Office hours: 24 hours
Email: cfsenquiry_WF@fehd.gov.hk
24-hour enquiry hotline: 2708 9591
Temporarily Added Food Inspection Checkpoints
- New Yau Ma Tei Public Cargo Working Areas
- Kwai Chung Customhouse
- Cheung Sha Wan Wholesale Food Market
- Hongkong International Terminals Limited in Kwai Tsing Container Terminals
- Modern Terminals Limited in Kwai Tsing Container Terminals
Arrival Report and Documents Required
Submission of the arrival report shall be made by the Food Consignment Arrival Report (FEHB 301). The form can be downloaded from the CFS website: https://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/public/public_fi/fehb301.html. Meanwhile, the following documents should also be attached by the importer:
- Bill of Lading;
- Packing List with details of food description, quantity and net weight; and
- Export Certificate of Vegetables Supplied to Hong Kong and Macau.
Methods of Submission
Please fax a copy of the above-mentioned documents to the Food Import and Export Section (Waterfront Office) for processing. If the documents mentioned in (i) to (iii) above are not available before the arrival of the consignment, at least the completed Food Consignment Arrival Report (FEHB 301) should be submitted to facilitate early arrangement by the CFS to release the consignment.
With effect from 11 March, importer may also submit the arrival report and handle relevant food release procedures online through the Food Trader Portal (www.ftp.cfs.gov.hk).
Inspection and Sampling
The CFS will select consignments for inspection and sampling according to a risk-based approach. If examination of the consignment by the CFS is required, the importer will be notified for arrangement.