Fresh aquatic products may be imported via Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge starting tomorrow
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Under the current arrangement, all goods vehicles carrying fresh food and livestock by land from the Mainland must enter Hong Kong via the Man Kam To Boundary Control Point for inspection by CFS staff. Other land-based boundary control points, including the Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities (HKBCF) of the HZMB, are not equipped with facilities for inspection of fresh food.
At the Government's invitation, the Airport Authority Hong Kong is now conducting a study for the topside development on the HKBCF Island and will later submit a development proposal, including a feasible site for providing facilities for inspection of fresh food (not including livestock). Pending the formulation of the development proposal of food inspection facilities at the HZMB in the long run, the Government has taken heed of some trade members' wishes to import fresh aquatic products via the HZMB to save transportation time and increase the survival rate of the products. Having discussed with the trade and Mainland authorities, the CFS decided to implement an interim measure effective from December 18 to allow the trade to import fresh aquatic products via the HZMB during a designated period after the closure and before the opening of Man Kam To Boundary Control Point, i.e. 9pm to 5am, for inspection by CFS staff.
The inspection procedures of the CFS at the HKBCF will be similar to those for vehicles importing fresh aquatic products via Man Kam To, including examining details of import documents and conducting physical inspection of aquatic products.
A spokesperson for the CFS stressed that the interim measure only applies to fresh aquatic products so as to facilitate the wholesale and trading of that specific type of food which is relatively more perishable. Other fresh food such as meat, poultry and eggs, if imported by land, must continue to enter Hong Kong via the Man Kam To Boundary Control Point.
Ends/Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Issued at HKT 15:18
Issued at HKT 15:18
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