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Hong Kong

Last Modified: Jan 21, 2022
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IRegs for LIVE Animals

Notice: If you have any questions or concerns regarding the procedures and requirements for exporting animals, you should contact the VS Field Office covering the area from which the animal will be exported, the area in which your office is located.

This country allows USDA Accredited Veterinarians to use USDA’s online Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS) to complete some health certificates.

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USDA Accredited Veterinarian Signature Electronic Signature Accepted
USDA APHIS Veterinary Medical Officer Signature Digital endorsement varies by species — see below for more information
The health certificate either bears the original ink signature and embossed seal or digital signature/seal
Before going to VEHCS: Scroll below this banner to view animal-specific requirements.

To process some health certificates, VEHCS may need the Accredited Veterinarian to upload the completed fillable PDF version found in the requirements section of this page. Either save a copy of the PDF below, or return to this page for the health certificate, if prompted by VEHCS.

Accredited Veterinarians, log in here if you wish to use VEHCS.
Accredited Veterinarians, help with using VEHCS is available on the VEHCS Help Page. To walk yourself through issuing a health certificate in VEHCS, click here.
NOTE: The printed paper endorsed health certificate must accompany each shipment. For digitally endorsed health certificates, USDA Accredited Veterinarians can print the health certificate from VEHCS once it is endorsed. For non-digitally endorsed health certificates, you can arrange to have your endorsed health certificate returned via pick-up or by mail (a pre-paid, pre-addressed return label must be provided during certificate submission).

For Hong Kong importation information, please go to the following website.

For all health certificates submitted through VEHCS for shipments of U.S. origin animals and germplasm that are only transiting Hong Kong, select the Hong Kong (Transit) option from the “Country of Destination” drop down menu.

For animals and germplasm that are destined for export to Hong Kong, first you must first select Country Not Listed from “Country of Destination” drop down menu, then select Hong Kong from the full list of destination countries.

ALL health certificates for export of livestock, poultry, and birds must be issued by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian and endorsed by an APHIS Veterinary Medical Officer within 14 days of departure.

Equine

Note: Laboratory test reports/results are required for equine entry.

Swine

Note: For additional information, please inquire at: icsenquiry@afcd.gov.hk 

Poultry / Birds

Note: For any current restriction on live birds/poultry, check the Temporary Restrictions under the "Reminder" heading at Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department website.  Transit of day-old chicks is exempt for country-wide HPAI bans and require State or compartment freedom per the below posted sample health certificate. 

Note: This certificate will be accepted with the use of digital signatures.  A health certificate for this commodity can also be generated through the Veterinary Export Health Certificate System (VEHCS) (https://pcit.aphis.usda.gov/pcit/). Once you log on to VECHS and enter the destination country and commodity, VECHS will walk you through each step to generate the certificate.

The APHIS Veterinary Medical Officer Signature will also be digital with no wet signature or embossed seal; however, a printed paper copy of the endorsed health certificate must accompany each shipment.

A Quick Reference Guide for the USDA Accredited Veterinarian can be found at: https://pcit-training.aphis.usda.gov/VEHCSHelp/VEHCS_Create_Certificate.pdf

Birds (non-Poultry)

Note: For any current restriction on live birds/poultry origin or transits, check the Temporary Restrictions under the "Reminder" heading at Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department website. 

Research / Laboratory Animals

Note: Visit Hong Kong's Website to learn more about importing these animals.

Health certificates for animals for research and laboratory purposes must be issued by the USDA Accredited Veterinarian that is in charge of the research animal colony of origin and endorsed by an APHIS Veterinary Medical Officer within 14 days of departure.

For export of pet animals, please refer to the APHIS Pet Travel Website.  

Other Animals

***NOTE: Effective January 18, 2022, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of Hong Kong has temporarily suspended the import of commercial (non-pet) rodents and lagomorphs from all countries.***

Note: Health certificates for the export of commercial shipments of U.S. origin animals must be issued by a private USDA Accredited Veterinarian and endorsed by an APHIS Veterinary Medical Officer within 14 days of departure.

For export of pet animals, please refer to the APHIS Pet Travel Website.

Aquatic Animals

Note: Hong Kong does not have any import requirements for aquatic animals, except for endangered species under CITES.  The importation requirements for endangered species, including those aquatic animals, can be found here, and an import license is required.

Pets

Visit the APHIS Pet Travel Website for information about exporting your pets.
For species not listed, the requirements are not known.  However, exporters wanting to ship livestock and/or germplasm, whose requirements are not listed above, should have the interested party (importer/buyer) in the country of destination apply for an Import Permit at the appropriate ministry.  This Import Permit will most likely outline the specific requirements.


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