Issuance of “Food Inspection Certificate”
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) of the HKSAR is responsible for issuing “Food Inspection Certificate” (FIC) for locally manufactured or processed food products being exported to foreign countries/places. The issuance of FIC is a trade facilitation measure and application is on a voluntarily basis. The application for a FIC is not a mandatory exportation requirement in Hong Kong but rather a requirement imposed by some overseas authorities for food consignments to be accompanied by certificates issued by the FEHD for import clearance. Therefore, it is the responsibility of an applicant to verify with destination countries/places as to whether the certificates are acceptable.
Certification Requirements
Sending in an application does not guarantee the issuance of a FIC. The food products must be manufactured or processed by local premises holding a valid food factory licence issued by the FEHD and the food products have been subject to satisfactory superficial inspection. In case an applicant is not the licensee of the said food factory, the applicant is required to provide documentary proof issued by the licensee of the food factory certifying that food specified in the certificate is manufactured or processed in the food factory concerned. The information should include brand name, product description, label specimen, batch or lot number, production date (eg. best before date), quantity (with units), goods mark and total net weight (in kg).
Where to Make Applications
- Online Applications
- Traders who have opened user accounts on the Food Trader Portal (FTP) may submit applications for “Food Inspection Certificate” on the FTP website (www.ftp.cfs.gov.hk). Upon approval and settlement of fee payment, the certificate will be sent to the applicant either by registered post or collection in person.
- Once you have linked up your FTP account with your Trade Single Window (TSW) account, you will receive a one-time password via the mobile phone number registered with your FTP account to access the FTP through the Trade Single Window (https://www3.tradesinglewindow.hk/portal/en/index.html) for submitting applications for “Food Inspection Certificate”.
- Paper Mode Applications
A completed application Form No. FEHB 311 should be forwarded together with the required documents (such as a copy of the valid licence of the food factory manufacturing the food products, a supply certificate, etc.) to the Centre for Food Safety of Food and Environmental Hygiene Department at 43/F., Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong by post or fax. Applications will only be processed upon receipt of all required documents. Upon approval and settlement of fee payment, the certificate shall be available for collection by the applicant.
Fee
The fee for the application of each “Food Inspection Certificate” is chargeable by weight. The details are as follows and the fees are subject to the latest announcement by this Department.
|
Item |
Fee |
|
Food Inspection Certificate (a) A food consignment stored in one location and not exceeding 500 kg (b) Every additional 500 kg or part thereof |
$2,201 $207 |
|
Every additional food storage location |
$1,110 |
|
Every certified true copy of “Food Inspection Certificate” |
$160 |
|
Amendment to issued “Food Inspection Certificate” |
$181 |
Enquiries
For enquiries, please contact the Food Import & Export Section (Tel: 2867 5560) or 1823 Government Hotline. Enquiries may also be sent to the e-mail address: fsc@fehd.gov.hk or by fax on 2521 4784.
Centre for Food Safety
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department