The common types of dangerous drugs are stimulants, hypnotics, tranquilizers and sedatives. Examples are opium, morphine, heroin, cannabis, cocaine and amphetamines. Dangerous drugs are listed in the First Schedule to the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Cap. 134, Laws of Hong Kong).

The import of dangerous drugs requires an import licence and import certificate issued by the Department of Health. A valid export authorization or diversion certificate from the exporting country will also be required.

Enquiries relating to the import of dangerous drugs can be made to the Pharmaceuticals Registration and Import/Export Control Section of the Department of Health at 3/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Shek Kip Mei, Kowloon. Telephone: (852) 2319 8460. (See website: http://www.psdh.gov.hk)

Enquiries and applications for licence, import or export authorization and removal permit can be made to the Controlled Chemicals Group of the Customs and Excise Department at Room 631, 6/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong. Telephone: (852) 2541 4383. Email:cedcdibccg@customs.gov.hk Facsimile: (852) 2541 1016. (See "Licence and Permit Application")

Pharmaceutical products and medicines imported in the personal baggage of a person entering Hong Kong and which are accompanied by him and in a reasonable quantity for his personal use may be exempted from licensing requirement. Transhipment cargo may be exempted from licensing requirement under certain conditions. (See "Transhipment Cargo Exemption Scheme")

Enquiries relating to import licence can be made to the Pharmaceuticals Registration and Import/Export Control Section of the Department of Health at 3/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Shek Kip Mei, Kowloon. Telephone: (852) 2319 8460. (See website: http://www.psdh.gov.hk)

Licensing requirement may be exempted when these articles are imported in the accompanied personal baggage of a person entering Hong Kong and in a reasonable quantity for his personal use. Transhipment cargo may be exempted from licensing requirement under certain conditions. (See "Transhipment Cargo Exemption Scheme")

Enquiries relating to import licence on the controlled Chm can be made to the Chinese Medicines Section of the Department of Health at 2/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon. Telephone: (852) 2319 5119. (See website: http://www.cmchk.org.hk/pcm/eng/idx_import.htm)

Enquiries relating to import licence on pCm can be made to the Pharmaceutical Service of the Department of Health at 3/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon. Telephone: (852) 2319 8460 or (852) 2319 8214. (See website: http://www.psdh.gov.hk)

Enquiries can be made to the Endangered Species Protection Division of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department at 5/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Telephone: (852) 1823. Facsimile: (852) 2376 3749. (See website: http://www.cites.org.hk)

* ¡§CITES¡¨ stands for ¡§Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora¡¨.

The import of mammals, birds and reptiles is controlled under the Public Health (Animals and Birds) Ordinance (Cap. 139, Laws of Hong Kong) and Rabies Ordinance (Cap. 421, Laws of Hong Kong). These creatures should not be brought into Hong Kong unless a permit is obtained in advance from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. Dogs and cats being imported into Hong Kong may be subject to quarantine control, ranging from 30 days to 4 months.

Enquiries can be made to the Import and Export Section of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department at 5/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Telephone: (852) 1823. Facsimile: (852) 2375 3563. (See website: http://www.afcd.gov.hk )

Under the Plant (Importation and Pest Control) Ordinance (Cap. 207, Laws of Hong Kong), it is illegal to import plants, plant pests or soil into Hong Kong without a valid import licence/authorization issued in advance by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. However, the import of plants produced in the Mainland China is exempted from licensing requirement. The exemption also applies to the import of cut flowers, fruits and vegetables for consumption from the Mainland China and other countries.

Enquiries can be made to the Plant and Pesticides Regulatory Division of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department at 5/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Telephone: (852) 2150 7000. Facsimile: (852) 2314 2622. (See website: http://www.afcd.gov.hk )

The import of pesticides is controlled under the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60, Laws of Hong Kong) and the Pesticides Ordinance (Cap. 133, Laws of Hong Kong).

Under the Import and Export Ordinance, an import licence must be obtained in advance from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (except for methyl bromide*) for every consignment of pesticides imported into Hong Kong, including those on valid through bills of lading.

Under the Pesticides Ordinance, companies handling pesticides imported into Hong Kong for local use or subsequent re-export must possess a pesticides licence (for registered pesticides) or permit (for unregistered pesticides) issued by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. Pesticides imported on a valid through bill of lading are exempted from the licensing control of the Pesticides Ordinance.

Enquiries relating to the import of pesticides can be made to the Plant & Pesticides Regulatory Division of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department at 5/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Telephone: (852) 2150 7007. Facsimile: (852) 2314 2622. (See website: http://www.afcd.gov.hk)

*Import licence for methyl bromide is issued by the Trade and Industry Department. In addition to the above two Ordinances, the import of methyl bromide is also controlled under the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance (Cap. 403, Laws of Hong Kong). (See "Ozone Depleting Substances")

Under the Import (Radiation) (Prohibition) Regulations (Cap. 60, sub. leg. K, Laws of Hong Kong), the import of radioactive substance and irradiating apparatus as set out in the Schedule to this Regulation is subject to licensing control. An import licence must be obtained in advance from the Department of Health for every consignment shipped into Hong Kong. Import licenses are issued only to holders of Radioactive Substances Licence, Irradiating Apparatus Licence or Letter of Exemption issued by the Radiation Board.

Enquiries concerning the import licence can be made to the Radiation Health Unit of the Department of Health at 3/F, Sai Wan Ho Health Centre, 28 Tai Hong Street, Sai Wan Ho, Hong Kong. Telephone: (852) 2569 8204, Facsimile: (852) 2834 1224. (See website: http://www.info.gov.hk/dh-rhu)

The import of strategic commodities, as set out in the Schedules to the Import and Export (Strategic Commodities) Regulations (Cap. 60, sub. leg. G, Laws of Hong Kong), is subject to licensing control by the Trade and Industry Department. Products such as high speed digital computers, memory devices made from compound semiconductors, single mode optical fibre, sophisticated communication systems, chemical weapon precursors, articles for a use relating to nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and certain firearms and ammunition are generally classified as strategic commodities. The purpose of licensing is to monitor and control the flow of strategic commodities to prevent Hong Kong from being used as a conduit for the proliferation of weapons and to guarantee Hong Kong's access to high technology products.

Enquiries can be made to the Strategic Trade Controls Branch of the Trade and Industry Department at Room 516B, 5/F, Trade and Industry Department Tower, 700 Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Telephone: (852) 2398 5575 (for licensing enquiries) and (852) 2398 5587 (for classification enquiries). Facsimile: (852) 2396 3070 or (852) 3525 1526 (See website: http://www.stc.tid.gov.hk)

The import of explosives, firearms and ammunition that fall under the Munitions List of the Schedule to the Import and Export (Strategic Commodities) Regulations (Cap. 60, sub. leg. G, Laws of Hong Kong) is subject to licensing control by the Trade and Industry Department.

Import licences for explosives are issued by the Trade and Industry Department with the prior endorsement of the Mines Division of the Civil Engineering and Development Department, address: 25/F, 410 Kwun Tong Road, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Telephone: (852) 2716 8666. Facsimile: (852) 2714 0193.

Import licences for firearms and ammunition are issued by the Trade and Industry Department, the validity of which is subject to a valid limited licence for possession or a dealer's licence/arms licence issued by the Hong Kong Police Force if the goods are also controlled by the Firearms and Ammunition Ordinance (Cap. 238, Laws of Hong Kong). Enquiries can be made to the Arms Licensing Section, Police Licensing Office of Hong Kong Police Force at 12/F, Arsenal House, Police Headquarters, 1 Arsenal Street, Wanchai, Hong Kong. Telephone: (852) 2860 6538. Facsimile: (852) 2200 4323. Hotline: (852) 2860 2973. (See website: http://www.police.gov.hk).

Enquiries concerning the licensing requirement under the Import and Export (Strategic Commodities) Regulations can be made to the Strategic Trade Controls Branch of the Trade and Industry Department at Room 516B, 5/F, Trade and Industry Department Tower, 700 Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Telephone: (852) 2398 5575 (for licensing enquiries) and (852) 2398 5587 (for classification enquiries). Facsimile: (852) 2396 3070 or (852) 3525 1526. (See website: http://www.stc.tid.gov.hk)

Textiles, as defined under the Import and Export (General) Regulations (Cap. 60, sub. leg. A, Laws of Hong Kong), include any natural or artificial fibre products and any combination of natural and artificial fibre products in the form of yarn, fabrics, garments or other manufactured articles.

Under the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60, Laws of Hong Kong), importers of textiles, unless exempted, should apply for import licences with the Trade and Industry Department prior to the arrival of the consignment. Exemptions are principally provided for under the Textiles Trader Registration Scheme (TTRS), in which case textiles importers registered under the TTRS are granted exemption from the licensing requirement and they may file self-completed import notifications in lieu of import licences.

Additionally, the following textile products are exempted from import licensing requirement:

	personal effects or gifts
	woven or knitted fabric swatches and sample yarn imported by air and not exceeding 0.8 sq. m. in size and 1.2 kg in weight respectively
	textile articles constituting part of the provisions required for consumption by the crew or passengers of the vessel, aircraft or vehicle on which the articles are carried

Enquiries regarding the import licence can be made to the Customer Service Centre, Origin Certification and Textiles Licensing Branch of the Trade and Industry Department at 2/F, Trade and Industry Department Tower, 700 Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Telephone: (852) 2398 5288.

Enquiries regarding the Textiles Trader Registration Scheme can be made to the Central Registration Office of the Trade and Industry Department at 1/F of the same address. Telephone: (852) 2398 5512. (See website: http://www.tid.gov.hk)

Rough diamonds, as defined under the Import and Export (General) Regulations (Cap. 60, sub. leg. A, Laws of Hong Kong), means diamonds that are unworked or simply sawn, cleaved or bruted.

Under these Regulations, importers of rough diamonds must be registered with the Trade and Industry Department (TID). Under the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60, Laws of Hong Kong), the import of rough diamonds is subject to licensing control. An importer must obtain a Kimberley Process Certificate (Import) issued by TID before importing any consignment of rough diamonds.

Rough diamonds in transit or as air transhipment cargo are exempted from licensing requirement, on condition that the rough diamonds are sealed in a container, and that the container has not been tampered with and the seals on the container remain intact. Rough diamonds as transhipment cargo may also be exempted from licensing requirement under certain conditions. (See "Transhipment Cargo Exemption Scheme")

Enquiries can be made to the Non-Textiles Licensing Unit of the Trade and Industry Department at Room 101A, 1/F, Trade and Industry Department Tower, 700 Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Telephone: (852) 2398 5557. Facsimile: (852) 2380 8504. (See website: http://www.tid.gov.hk)

Under the Reserved Commodities (Control of Imports, Exports and Reserve Stocks) Regulations (Cap. 296, sub. leg. A, Laws of Hong Kong), the import of rice must be covered by an import licence issued by the Trade and Industry Department (TID). For rice imported for local consumption, import licences are only issued to companies registered with the TID as stockholders of rice.

The import of frozen meat, chilled meat, frozen poultry and chilled poultry is subject to licensing control under the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60, Laws of Hong Kong). Every consignment imported into Hong Kong must be covered by an import licence issued by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.

No licence is required for the import of rice, frozen or chilled meat and poultry imported in the personal baggage of a person for personal consumption or as gifts, in an amount not exceeding 15 kg. For frozen or chilled meat and poultry, however, an official certificate as defined in the Imported Game, Meat and Poultry Regulations (Cap. 132, sub. leg. AK, Laws of Hong Kong) is required. Transhipment cargo may also be exempted from licensing requirement under certain conditions. (See "Transhipment Cargo Exemption Scheme").

Enquiries concerning the import of frozen meat, chilled meat, frozen poultry or chilled poultry can be made to the Food Import and Export Section (Import Registration) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department at 43/F, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong. Telephone: (852) 2867 5585 or (852) 2867 5586. Facsimile: (852) 2521 4784. (See website: http://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/import/import_ifc.html)

Enquiries concerning the import of rice can be made to the Rice Control Unit of the Trade and Industry Department at Room 102B, 1/F, Trade and Industry Department Tower, 700 Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Telephone: (852) 2398 5570. Facsimile: (852) 3525 0987. (See website: http://www.tid.gov.hk)

Under the Imported Game, Meat and Poultry Regulations (Cap. 132, sub. leg. AK, Laws of Hong Kong), any person who imports game, meat and poultry should obtain prior permission for importation from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) unless for imported meat and poultry accompanied by a valid official certificate issued by a foreign competent authority recognized by the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene.

Prior written permission from the FEHD is required for transhipment cargo. The consignment should be accompanied by an offical certificate issued by a competent authority from the country of origin (if it is conveyed in sealed refrigerated container) or accompanied by a transhipment certificate issued by a competent authority of the country of transit certifying that the goods were properly imported into the country of transit and that during its stay there, it did not suffer any spoilage or deterioration (if it is conveyed other than in sealed refrigerated container).

Enquiries can be made to the Food Import and Export Section, Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department at 43/F, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong. Telephone: (852) 2867 5577. Facsimile: (852) 2521 4784. (See website: http://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/import/import_ifc.html)

Under the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance (Cap. 403, Laws of Hong Kong), certain ozone depleting substances are subject to quota and licensing control.

The import of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, methyl chloroform, methyl bromide, carbon tetrachloride, hydrobromofluorocarbons (HBFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) as listed in the Schedule to this Ordinance must be covered by a valid import licence issued by the Trade and Industry Department.

The import of methyl bromide is not allowed unless it is used for local quarantine and pre-shipment cargo treatment. The importer should obtain a certificate for use of methyl bromide for quarantine from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department before application for an import licence.

Enquiries concerning the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance and the import of ozone depleting substances can be made to the Air Policy Group of the Environmental Protection Department at 33/F, Revenue Tower, 5 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Telephone: (852) 2594 6261. Facsimile: (852) 2827 8040. (See website: http://www.epd.gov.hk)

Enquiries regarding the import licence can be made to the Non-textiles Licensing Unit of the Trade and Industry Department at Room 101A, 1/F, Trade and Industry Department Tower, 700 Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Telephone: (852) 2398 5560. Facsimile: (852) 2380 8504.

The import of radio transmitting apparatus is controlled under the Telecommunications Ordinance (Cap. 106, Laws of Hong Kong). Any person who imports these articles is required to obtain an import permit from the Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) unless he is a holder of a Radio Dealers Licence (Unrestricted) issued by OFTA to deal in the course of trade or business.

Enquiries relating to the import permit can be made to the Inspection and Licensing Subsection of the Office of the Telecommunications Authority at 26/F, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong. Telephone: (852) 2961 6671. Facsimile: (852) 2180 9828. (See website: http://www.ofta.gov.hk)

The import of optical disc mastering and replication equipment are controlled under the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60, Laws of Hong Kong). Importation of these articles must be covered by an import licence issued by the Customs and Excise Department.

Enquiries can be made to the Intellectual Property Investigation Bureau of the Customs and Excise Department at Room 1035, 10/F, Skyline Tower, 39 Wang Kwong Road, Hong Kong. Telephone: (852) 2851 1625. Facsimile: (852) 2716 3261. (See "Licence and Permit Application")

Under the Hazardous Chemicals Control Ordinance (Cap. 595, Laws of Hong Kong), the import of non-pesticide hazardous chemicals as set out in Schedules 1 and 2 to this Ordinance is subject to permit control. Any person importing scheduled chemicals, including transiting (for Type 1 chemicals under Schedule 1) and transhipping (for Types 1 and 2 chemicals under Schedules 1 and 2), must first obtain a valid activity-based import permit issued by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD).

Under the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60, Laws of Hong Kong), a consignment-based import licence must also be obtained in advance from the EPD for every consignment of scheduled chemicals to be imported into ? Hong Kong, including those on valid through bills of lading. Exemption would be given to transit cargo (for Type 1 chemicals only) and air transhipment cargo (for Types 1 and 2 chemicals) but certain conditions must be met.

Enquiries relating to activity-based permit or consignment-based licence can be made to the Territorial Control Office (Hazardous Chemicals Control) of the Environment Protection Department at 28/F, Southorn Centre, 130 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Telephone: (852) 2835 1963. (See website: http://www.epd.gov.hk)

Enquiries on import of other goods that are subject to import and export control can be made to the Customs and Excise Department Enquiry Hotline at (852) 2815 7711.