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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.

On July 15, 2024, the Government of India’s Department of Consumer Affairs, Weights and Measures Unit/Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, published its proposal to amend Rule 3 of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011.

On August 7, India’s Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) published Office Memorandum L-11/1/2019-Trade (E-11542) granting another three-month extension in the implementation of the integrated veterinary health certificate for import of milk and milk products.

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.

On July 10, India’s Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) published Office Memorandum L-11/1/2019-Trade (E-11542) granting a one-month extension in the implementation of the integrated veterinary health certificate for import of milk and...

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.

India continues its rapid economic growth journey in 2024 as the fifth largest economy in the world. It is projected to surpass Japan to become the third largest economy by 2030.

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

On April 4, 2024, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) published on its website, Order F. No. TIC-B02/2/2022-IMPORTS-FSSAI. The FSSAI order extends the effective implementation date for the mandatory registration of foreign food manufacturing facilities (FFMF) for the import of certain categories of foods such as milk and milk products; meat and meat products including poultry, fish, and their products; egg powder; infant food; and nutraceuticals to India.