HONG KONG's Food and Health Bureau is seeking the views of the public until February 18, on the government's proposed amendments to the Import & Export (General) Regulations, to combat parallel traders diverting large quantities of infant powdered milk away from the supply chain in the territory.
The government proposes to amend the regulations by including powdered formula for infants and young children under the age of 36 months as an item of specified articles requiring an export licence from the director-general of Trade and Industry. Those contravening the rule face two years in jail and a HK$500,000 (US$64,500) fine.
The department says it will issue general export licences only to importers of "infant/follow-up/growing-up formula and baby food" who have registered under the Food Safety Ordinance or those exempted from registration.
The government proposes that no more than a total net weight of 1.8 kilogrammes of powdered formula (or two cans) can be carried by each person out of Hong Kong aged 16 or above. To prevent parallel traders from abusing the exemption by making multiple journeys to Hong Kong on the same day, the government proposes the exemption only be applicable on the first departure from Hong Kong within a 24-hour period.
The department plans to submit the proposed legislative amendments to the Executive Council in February, and will implement the new provisions as soon as possible if the proposal is approved.
