Application forms

(A) Application for registration as food importers and food distributors

Application for registration should generally be based on status of the food business shown in the Business Registration Certificate and made in the name of a person, a partner authorized by a partnership or a body corporate, and must be made in the specified form FEHB 245.

The completed application form for registration can be submitted either in person/ by mail to the Food Importer/ Distributor Registration and Import Licensing Office, Room 119, 1/F., 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong or by fax at 2156 1015, together with a copy of the valid Business Registration Certificate/ Hong Kong Identity Card/ other Proof of Identity (e.g. Certificate of Incorporation) for verification purpose. Application may also be submitted online round-the-clock at the Food Trader Portal (FTP) website (https://www.ftp.cfs.gov.hk).

Provided that all the required documents are submitted and that the applicant has complied with all relevant statutory requirements under the Ordinance, the applicant will be registered as a food importer/ food distributor upon payment of a registration fee of $195 for a period of 3 years.

(B) Renewal of registration

The registration is effective for a period of 3 years, subject to renewal for a period of 3 years on payment of $180. Application for renewal of registration must be made in the specified form FEHB 248.

The completed renewal form can be submitted either in person/ by mail to the office mentioned in (A) above or by fax at 2156 1015. Application for renewal of registration can also be made online using the password provided by the CFS upon registration (https://www.fics.gov.hk). Application may also be submitted online round-the-clock at the Food Trader Portal (FTP) website (https://www.ftp.cfs.gov.hk) if the trader has opened the FTP user account.

(C) Updating of information of registered food importers and food distributors

A registered food importer/ food distributor has to give written notice to Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene (DFEH) of any change in the information provided in his application for registration or renewal of registration, within 30 days after the change occurs.

Notification can be made by completing form FEHB 246 and submit it either in person/ by mail to the office mentioned in (A) above or by fax at 2156 1015. Notification can also be made online using the password provided by the CFS upon registration (https://www.fics.gov.hk). Application may also be submitted online round-the-clock at the Food Trader Portal (FTP) website (https://www.ftp.cfs.gov.hk) if the trader has opened the FTP user account.

(D) Updating of information of exempted food importers and food distributors

Upon request of DFEH in writing, the exempted food importers and food distributors as listed at Schedule 1 of the Food Safety Ordinance are required to provide supplementary information. In case of any change in the information provided, the exempted traders should also notify DFEH as soon as possible of the change.

Notification can be made by completing form FEHB 247 and submit it either in person/ by mail to the office mentioned in (A) above or by fax at 2156 1015. Notification can also be made online using password provided by the CFS (https://www.fics.gov.hk). Application may also be submitted online round-the-clock at the Food Trader Portal (FTP) website (https://www.ftp.cfs.gov.hk) if the trader has opened the FTP user account.

(E) Application for Exemption from Registration or Record-Keeping Requirement

Besides the above licensees/ permittees/ certificated owners, section 6 of the Ordinance confers upon the DFEH a power to exempt a person from the requirement to be registered in respect of a business. The exemption will be granted under exceptional circumstances. Food traders who wish to apply for the exemption can complete form FEHB 249.

Penalties

Any person who does not register but carries on a food importation or distribution business, without reasonable excuse, commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for 6 months.

For more details, please refer to the "Guide to the Registration Scheme for Food Importers and Food Distributors"