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Due to recent recalls by Hong Kong authorities of food products containing ethylene oxide (ETO), ATO Hong Kong reminds all U.S. exporters that ETO is not permitted in food products for sale in Hong Kong.

On August 13, the Hong Kong Centre for Food Safety (CFS) confirmed to ATO Hong Kong that effective February 14, 2025, the Special Autonomous Region (SAR) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) will transition from a “systems-based” approach to recognizing foreign meat and poultry establishments to an “establishment or plant-based” registration system.

This report provides guidelines on Hong Kong’s food import regulations.

Hong Kong does not have any certification changes for food imports since the last report submitted in July 2023. 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.

Hong Kong classifies ground meat as prohibited meat under its food legislation. Importers are required to secure a permit from Hong Kong authorities to allow the entry of U.S. meat shipments prior to arrival at Hong Kong’s port.

In 2023, the Hong Kong economy grew 3.2 percent year-on-year, slower than the government’s economic forecast. The economy has not fully returned to pre-pandemic levels due to weak domestic consumption and lagging challenges in the import and export trade.

The exporter guide provides an economic and market overview, as well as demographic trends and practical tips to U.S. exporters on how to conduct business in the Netherlands.

A batch of U.S. frozen confectionary was almost rejected at Hong Kong’s port of entry due to an erroneously formatted health certificate.

The Netherlands is working towards a ‘sugar tax’. As a first step, the existing levy on non-alcoholic beverages (excluding dairy, soy drinks and water) was increased to €0.26 ($0.29) per liter starting January 1, 2024.

This report serves as a second reminder to U.S. exporters and traders that the Hong Kong Government (HKG) does not allow entry of U.S. poultry and egg products originating from affected counties reporting highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) when the bill of lading falls on or after the effective date of a ban.

The Hong Kong economy has been recovering since the reopening of its borders to the world in late 2022, and to mainland China in early 2023. In the third quarter, Hong Kong’s economy grew 4.1 percent year-on-year.

The Netherlands, as a Member State of the European Union (EU), conforms to all EU regulations and directives. However, rules for the certification of imports are complicated and, in practice, are not always harmonized across EU Member States.