Hong Kong & Macau
OpenGreater China · As of 2026-02-20
Hong Kong and Macau maintain open market access for Chinese egg products. HK requires two-step authorization: importer registration under Cap. 612 (HK$195/3yr) plus per-product import permission under Cap. 132AK (Form FEHB 295, no fee, valid 6 months). Macau requires IAM import license (3 working days advance).
Market Access Overview
Hong Kong and Macau are the most accessible export destinations for Chinese egg products. Both SARs maintain open import policies with well-defined regulatory frameworks.
Hong Kong regulates egg product imports through two separate legislative pillars:
- Cap. 132AK — Imported Game, Meat, Poultry and Eggs Regulations (import permission and health certificates)
- Cap. 612 — Food Safety Ordinance (importer registration and record-keeping)
Macau regulates food imports through the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) under Law No. 5/2013 (Food Safety Law), requiring import licenses and mandatory border inspection.
Key Advantages
- No quota restrictions on egg product imports from mainland China
- Geographic proximity — same-day delivery via land crossings
- Established regulatory framework with published requirements
- Large consumer market — HK imports ~90% of its food supply
- CFS 2024 surveillance: ~66,900 samples tested, 99.8% satisfactory rate
Hong Kong: Two-Step Authorization
Step 1: Food Importer Registration (Cap. 612)
All food importers must register under the Food Safety Ordinance (Cap. 612):
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fee | HK$195 (new registration); HK$180 (renewal) |
| Validity | 3 years |
| Where to apply | Food Importer/Distributor Registration and Import Licensing Office, Room 119, 1/F, 258 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai |
| Online | Food Trader Portal (FTP) |
| Penalty for non-registration | Max HK$50,000 fine and 6 months imprisonment |
| Record-keeping penalty | Max HK$10,000 fine and 3 months imprisonment (Sections 21–24) |
- Source: CFS Registration Application
Step 2: Import Permission for Eggs (Cap. 132AK)
This is separate from and in addition to the importer registration above.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Application form | FEHB 295 — “Application for Permission to Import Eggs” |
| Fee | No fee |
| Processing time | May be granted within 4 working days if requirements met |
| Validity | 6 months from date of issue |
| Submit to | Food Import and Export Section, Centre for Food Safety, 43/F, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong |
| fsc@fehd.gov.hk | |
| Phone | 2867 5577 |
| Fax | 2521 4784 |
| Penalty for non-compliance | Max HK$50,000 fine and 6 months imprisonment |
Required for each application:
-
Specify type and quantity of eggs to be imported
-
Specify place of origin (must be recognised by the Director of FEHD)
-
Health certificate from an issuing entity in the recognised place of origin
-
Source: CFS Guide to Application for Permission to Import Eggs
Health Certificate
Each consignment requires a health certificate issued by Chinese customs authorities (GACC/local customs) certifying the products are fit for human consumption.
Entry Points
| Entry Point | Transport Mode |
|---|---|
| Man Kam To Food Control Office (MKTFCO) | Road — the only office for road-based mainland food consignments |
| Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) | Air freight |
| HK Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge | Land (bridge) |
| Designated cold store inspection points | Sea freight |
Hong Kong: Governing Legislation
| Legislation | Purpose | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Cap. 612 — Food Safety Ordinance | Food importer registration, record-keeping, traceability | e-Legislation |
| Cap. 132AK — Imported Game, Meat, Poultry and Eggs Regulations | Import permission, health certificates for eggs (amended 5 Dec 2015) | CFS Import Guide |
| Cap. 132W — Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations | Mandatory food labeling, nutrition labeling (“1+7” system) | e-Legislation |
| Cap. 132AF — Harmful Substances in Food Regulations | Banned/restricted substances including melamine, mycotoxins (amended 2021) | CFS Guidelines (PDF) |
| Cap. 132V — Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) Regulations | Heavy metal limits (amended 5 September 2025) | e-Legislation |
| Cap. 132CM — Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation | Pesticide MRLs (effective 1 August 2014) | e-Legislation |
- Full legislation list: CFS Food Legislation
Hong Kong: Food Safety Standards
Microbiological Standards
Per CFS Microbiological Guidelines for Food (PDF) — effective 14 August 2014:
| Parameter | Limit | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Salmonella | Not detected in 25g | If detected: “potentially injurious to health / unfit for human consumption” |
| Listeria monocytogenes | Not detected in 25g | For ready-to-eat products |
| E. coli (generic) | <20 CFU/g | Satisfactory |
| Aerobic plate count | <10⁴ CFU/g | Satisfactory |
Chemical Contaminants & Residues
Harmful Substances (Cap. 132AF):
| Substance | Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Melamine | 2.5 mg/kg (general food); 1 mg/kg (infant food, pregnant/lactating women) | Amendment Regulation 2021 |
| Sudan dyes (I–IV) | Not permitted | CFS targeted surveillance |
| Mycotoxins (aflatoxins, DON, patulin) | Per Cap. 132AF Amendment 2021 schedules | |
| Benzo[a]pyrene | Per Cap. 132AF | |
| 3-MCPD, glycidyl esters | Per Cap. 132AF Amendment 2021 |
Heavy Metals (Cap. 132V) — as amended September 2025:
| Contaminant | Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lead | 0.5 mg/kg | Per Part 2 of Schedule. Full table: Cap 132V |
| Other metals | Per Cap. 132V Schedule | Cadmium, mercury, arsenic limits in Part 2 |
Veterinary Drug Residues: Per Codex Alimentarius / China GB 31650 MRLs. CFS conducts risk-based surveillance.
Pesticide Residues (Cap. 132CM): MRLs and EMRLs in Schedule 1. Full table: Cap 132CM
Labeling Requirements (Cap. 132W)
All pre-packaged egg products sold in HK must display:
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Language | English and/or Chinese. If both used, name and ingredient list must appear in both |
| Product name | Accurate description |
| Ingredients list | In descending order of weight/volume |
| Allergen declaration | Eggs are 1 of 8 mandatory allergens |
| Date marking | ”Best before” or “Use by” date |
| Nutrition labeling | ”1+7” system — energy plus 7 nutrients |
| Storage conditions | If required |
| Manufacturer/importer | Name and address |
| Country of origin | Required |
| Net weight/volume | In metric units |
Macau: Regulatory Requirements
Governing Legislation
| Legislation | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Law No. 5/2013 | Food Safety Law (primary food safety legislation) |
| Administrative Regulation No. 487/2016 | Mandatory inspection upon entry — Schedule 3 includes eggs |
| Decree-Law No. 56/94/M | Prepackaged and non-prepackaged food labeling |
| Administrative Regulation No. 13/2016 | Maximum limits for mycotoxins in food |
Competent Authority
The Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) (Instituto para os Assuntos Municipais), established 1 January 2019. IAM’s Department of Food Safety and its Division of Food Inspection handle import inspection.
- Portal: IAM Food Safety Information
Import Procedure
- Import license application: Submit to IAM at least 3 working days before goods arrive
- Advance notification: Complete procedures at IAM 1 working day before import
- Quarantine inspection appointment: Must be booked with the Department of Food Safety
- Required documents:
- Original health certificate from GACC/local customs
- Certificate of origin
- Product test report (if requested by IAM)
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Source: IAM Inspection & Quarantine
Labeling Requirements (Decree-Law No. 56/94/M)
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Language | Portuguese and/or Chinese (Chinese accepted in practice) |
| Product name | Required |
| Ingredients list | Required |
| Net quantity | Required |
| Date marking | Production and expiry dates |
| Storage conditions | Required |
| Manufacturer/importer | Name and address |
| Country of origin | Required |
Regulatory Authorities
| Authority | Jurisdiction | Role | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centre for Food Safety (CFS) | Hong Kong | Food import surveillance, testing, risk assessment | www.cfs.gov.hk |
| FEHD | Hong Kong | Importer registration (Cap. 612), import permits (Cap. 132AK) | www.fehd.gov.hk |
| Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) | Macau | Food import licensing, inspection, quarantine | www.iam.gov.mo |
| GACC | China | Export facility registration, health certificates | www.customs.gov.cn |
Risk Notes
- Melamine testing remains a routine check for all mainland egg products — legacy of the 2008 incident, continues as standard CFS protocol
- Sudan dye screening is included in CFS targeted surveillance — ensure production chain has no contact with Sudan dyes
- Cap. 132V amendment (Sept 2025) — updated metallic contamination limits; verify compliance against the new schedule
- CFS publishes monthly food surveillance results — non-compliant products are publicly named, damaging trade relationships
- Macau IAM may impose additional requirements during food safety incidents — monitor IAM announcements
- Avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks in mainland China can trigger temporary suspensions from affected provinces
- Scope question for processed egg products: CFS definition of “egg” under Cap. 132AK covers “any edible part of such an egg” but explicitly excludes “fully cooked eggs” and “eggs as ingredient of compounded food.” For standalone egg powder, liquid egg, and frozen egg — confirm classification with CFS at 2867 5577 or fsc@fehd.gov.hk
Action Checklist
- Confirm GACC registration is current for your facility (Decree 249)
- Ensure HK importer has registered under Cap. 612 (HK$195/3yr)
- Apply for import permission using Form FEHB 295 (no fee, valid 6 months)
- Obtain health certificate from local customs for each consignment
- Test for melamine (<2.5 mg/kg) and Sudan dyes (not detected)
- Verify heavy metal compliance against Cap. 132V (amended Sept 2025)
- Test against CFS microbiological guidelines (Salmonella ND/25g)
- Prepare bilingual (EN/ZH) labels complying with Cap. 132W
- Arrange entry through Man Kam To (road), HKIA (air), or HZMB port (bridge)
- For Macau: importer submits IAM license ≥3 working days + advance notification ≥1 working day before arrival
- For Macau: book quarantine inspection appointment with IAM Department of Food Safety
- Monitor CFS monthly surveillance reports for enforcement trends
Sources
Hong Kong Official Sources
- CFS — Guide to Import of Game, Meat, Poultry and Eggs: https://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/import/import_icfsg_04.html
- CFS — Guide to Application for Permission to Import Eggs (Form FEHB 295): https://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/import/Guide_to_Application_for_Permission_to_Import_Eggs.html
- CFS — Food Importer/Distributor Registration (Cap. 612): https://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/foodsafetyordinance/FSO_application.html
- CFS — Food Legislation List: https://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/food_leg/food_leg_list.html
- CFS — Microbiological Guidelines for Food (PDF): https://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/food_leg/files/food_leg_Microbiological_Guidelines_for_Food_e.pdf
- CFS — Guidelines on Cap 132AF Harmful Substances (PDF): https://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/whatsnew/whatsnew_fstr/files/4th_TM_Guidelines_to_Cap_132AF_ENG.pdf
- CFS — Imported Food Control: https://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/import/import_ifc.html
- CFS — Food Surveillance Programme: https://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_fs/programme_fs.html
- CFS — FAQs on Import of GMPE (PDF): https://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/import/files/FAQs_on_import_of_GMPE_Eng_temp.pdf
- HK e-Legislation — Cap. 612: https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap612
- HK e-Legislation — Cap. 132V (Metallic Contamination, amended 2025): https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap132V
- HK e-Legislation — Cap. 132CM (Pesticide Residues): https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap132CM
Macau Official Sources
- IAM — Food Safety Information Portal: https://www.iam.gov.mo/foodsafety/e/index
- IAM — Inspection & Quarantine (Eggs): https://www.iam.gov.mo/foodsafety/e/quarantine/detail/7570c4ae-729c-42fa-9c79-f5a97f878e78
China Sources
- GACC — Decree No. 249: https://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2021/content_5621202.htm