Hong Kong - Certification Requirements

Last update: May 01, 2011

Acts and Regulations

Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Safe Food and Public Health

Tolerances or Guidelines

Metal Applicable Fish Products Maximum level permitted
(in ppm)
Arsenic
  • All fish products (excluding molluscs and crustaceans) in solid form
  • All shellfish products (molluscs and crustaceans) in solid form
  • All fish products in liquid form
  • 6
  • 10
  • 0.14
Antimony All fish products excluding molluscs and crustaceans other than crab, oyster, prawn and shrimp 1
Cadmium All fish products excluding molluscs and crustaceans other than crab, oyster, prawn and shrimp 2
Chromium All fish products excluding molluscs and crustaceans other than crab, oyster, prawn and shrimp 1
Lead
  • All fish products in solid form
  • All fish products in liquid form
  • 6
  • 1
Mercury All fish products 0.5
Tin All fish products 230

The following hormones are prohibited for use in all fish products: dienoestrol, diethylstilboestrol, hexoestrol and oestradiol.

Fish products exported to Hong Kong cannot contain preservatives or antioxidants unless specified in the following table.

 

Preservatives which are permitted in the following Fishery Products only
Fishery Product Preservative Maximum level permitted
Fish ball, fish cake, and dried shredded fish
  • Sorbic acid / Sodium sorbate / Potassium sorbate / Calcium sorbate
  • Benzoic acid / Sodium benzoate / Potassium Benzoate / Calcium benzoate
  • Methyl para-hydroxybenzoate
  • Ethyl para-hydroxybenzoate
  • Propyl para-hydroxybenzoate
1000 ppm
Fish sauce

Sulphur dioxide / Sulphurous acid / Sodium sulphite / Sodium hydrogen sulphite / Sodium metabisulphite / Potassium sulphite / Potassium metabisulphite / Calcium sulphite / Calcium hydrogensulphite

350 ppm
Fish sauce
  • Benzoic acid / Sodium benzoate / Potassium Benzoate / Calcium benzoate
  • Methyl para-hydroxybenzoate
  • Ethyl para-hydroxybenzoate
  • Propyl para-hydroxybenzoate
800 ppm
Gelatin Sulphur dioxide / Sulphurous acid/ Sodium sulphite/ Sodium hydrogen sulphite/ Sodium metabisulphite / Potassium sulphite/ Potassium metabisulphite/ Calcium sulphite/ Calcium hydrogensulphite 1000 ppm
Gelatin capsules Sorbic acid / Sodium sorbate / Potassium sorbate / Calcium sorbate 3000 ppm
Oyster sauce
  • Benzoic acid / Sodium benzoate / Potassium Benzoate / Calcium benzoate
  • Methyl para-hydroxybenzoate
  • Ethyl para-hydroxybenzoate
  • Propyl para-hydroxybenzoate
  • Sorbic acid / Sodium sorbate / Potassium sorbate / Calcium sorbate
1000 ppm
Prawn, shrimp and scampi Sulphur dioxide / Sulphurous acid / Sodium sulphite / Sodium hydrogen sulphite / Sodium metabisulphite
Potassium sulphite / Potassium metabisulphite / Calcium sulphite / Calcium hydrogensulphite
200 ppm (in the edible part)
Shrimp paste
  • Benzoic acid / Sodium benzoate / Potassium Benzoate / Calcium benzoate
  • Methyl para-hydroxybenzoate
  • Ethyl para-hydroxybenzoate
  • Propyl para-hydroxybenzoate
1000 ppm

For further information please contact the importer/client in Hong Kong. Further details on the restrictions concerning the sale of food containing preservatives or antioxidants are available from the Hong Kong Food and Environmental Hygiene Department

Certification Requirements

Products Cooked Prior to Consumption:

Certification of air-freighted shipments using a Certificate of Origin and Hygiene (CFIA/ACIA 5003 (2002/05)) will expedite customs clearance.

Products Destined for Raw Consumption (e.g., molluscan shellfish):

Certificate of Origin and Hygiene (CFIA/ACIA 5003 (2002/05)).

Live Crustacea (i.e., lobster and crabs):

Shipments of live lobster must be accompanied by a Statement of Inspection (for non-registered plants) or a Certificate of Origin and Hygiene (CFIA/ACIA 5003 (2002/05)).

Seal Meat

Each carcass is a subject to a post-mortem inspection by a qualified veterinarian.

Certificate of Origin and Hygiene (CFIA/ACIA 5003 (2002/05)) with the additional statement:

"The seal meat/products are derived from animals that have passed post-mortem inspection conducted by a qualified inspector in Canada. The seal meat/products are wholesome and fit for human consumption."

must accompany each shipment.

CFIA may certify seal meat/products based on a post-mortem inspection of the animals by any qualified veterinary doctor (not necessarily the CFIA inspector), provided the inspection procedures have been incorporated into the plant's Quality Management Program and the appropriate documentation is recorded and available for review by CFIA.