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Nuclear and Missile Related Goods and Technology

Licence applications for the import and export of materials and goods that are capable of being used to manufacture nuclear weapons or for missile technology production are assessed rigorously in accordance with stringent criteria. In addition to the provision of the necessary technical information, a licence application should also be accompanied by :

  • an end-user statement duly completed by the end-user;
  • a copy of an export/re-export authorisation issued by the technology originating and/or exporting country/place of the goods;
  • a copy of an International Import Certificate or import authorisation issued by the relevant authority of the importing/destination country/place; and/or
  • a copy of the contract in the case of a purchase by a Government agency.

Licence applications covering the import and export of nuclear and missile related goods and technology may be subject to inter-departmental review. Where inter-departmental review is required, it may take a longer processing time, particularly so if additional technical details and/or clarifications are needed.

For details, please refer to Strategic Trade Controls (STC) Circular No. 7/2004.
 
Chemical Weapon Precursors, Biological Agents and Production Equipment

Licence applications for the import and export of chemical, biological weapons, their related production equipment, and certain chemicals and biological agents which are capable of being used in the manufacture of chemical or biological weapons are assessed in accordance with stringent criteria. The policy of the Government is to control any import/export of these products or their related equipment and to ensure that there is sufficient assurance that the import/export would not be used in the manufacture of chemical or biological weapons and that the possibility of the export being diverted to unknown uses is sufficiently safeguarded. In this connection, all such applications should be accompanied by the necessary supporting technical documentation and an end-user statement duly completed by the end-user. Applications involving chemical weapons precursors have to be accompanied by :

  • for Import Licence
    • data sheets giving full composition, or technical details as appropriate, of the products under application;
    • if applicable, Chemical End-User Undertaking (SC008 (fillable pdf format)) and/or Chemical Trader Undertaking (SC009 (fillable pdf format)) duly completed by the local end-user/trader; and/or
    • a copy of an export/re-export authorisation issued by the technology originating and/or exporting country/place giving explicit approval to the export/re-export concerned.
  • for Export Licence
    • data sheets giving full composition, or technical details as appropriate, of the products under application;
    • in case the consignee is also the end-user, a Chemical End-user Undertaking (SC007 (fillable pdf format)) duly completed by the consignee cum end-user; in case the consignee is not the end-user, both a Chemical Trader Undertaking (SC009 (fillable pdf format)) duly completed by the consignee and a Chemical End-user Undertaking (SC007 (fillable pdf format)) duly completed by the end-user;
    • a copy of an export/re-export authorisation issued by the technology originating country/place giving explicit approval to the export/re-export concerned; and/or
    • as the case warrants, a copy of an International Import Certificate or import authorisation issued by the relevant authority of the importing/destination country/place.

Licence applications covering the import and export of chemicals, biological agents and pathogens may be subject to inter-departmental review. Where inter-departmental review is required, it may take a longer processing time, particularly so if additional technical details and/or clarifications are needed.

For details, please refer to the STC Circular No. 16/2004.
 
Arms and Ammunition

Trading of munitions items in Hong Kong is subject to very stringent control by both the Trade and Industry Department (“TID”) under the Import and Export Ordinance ( Cap. 60, Laws of Hong Kong ), including its subsidiary legislation, i.e. the Import and Export (Strategic Commodities) Regulations (Cap. 60G, Laws of Hong Kong) (“the Regulations”) and the Hong Kong Police Force under the Firearms and Ammunition Ordinance (Cap. 238, Laws of Hong Kong).

The Munitions List of Schedule 1 to the Regulations sets out the munitions items which are subject to import and export licensing control administered by TID.

As a general rule, imports of firearms and ammunition into Hong Kong will be approved only if the end-users are either the security or disciplined forces of the Government or persons approved by the Commissioner of Police to possess or to deal with trade of firearms and ammunitions.

An export licence application covering arms and ammunition will be approved only if the supporting information and documentation substantiates that the transfer is for legitimate purposes.

In addition to basic application particulars, applicants are required to produce the following documents :

  • technical details of the product;
  • an end-user statement duly completed by the end-user; and/or
  • a copy of an export/re-export authorisation issued by the technology originating/exporting country/place and/or a copy of an International Import Certificate or import authorisation issued by the relevant authority of the importing/destination country/place giving explicit approval to the import/export/re-export concerned.

Depending on the circumstances of individual case, the following documents will also be required :

  • a copy of the valid business registration certificate of the applicant and/or local end-user;
  • if the licence applications cover arms and ammunition which are under the control of the Firearms and Ammunition Ordinance (Cap. 238, Laws of Hong Kong), the applicant should attach a full copy of valid licence for possession or dealer's licence issued by the Hong Kong Police Force with its reference number stated clearly on the import/export licence application;
  • for licence applications covering explosives, the applicant should attach an authorisation/document issued by the Mines Division of the Civil Engineering Development Department or the Special Effects Licensing Section of the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency approving the explosives to be used, stored and/or transported in Hong Kong; 
  • for applications covering arms and ammunition for export or re-export to other destinations, a copy of the licences or documents indicating that the ultimate consignee and/or end-users are authorised possessors or dealers of arms and ammunition in the final destination country/place should be attached.
For details, please refer to the STC Circular No. 13/2004.
Temporary Imports of Strategic Commodities

To facilitate the trade to import strategic commodities from any country/place on a temporary basis (e.g. for repair in Hong Kong), licence applications covering the subsequent return of the goods to the exporting country/place can also be approved by TID under special licensing procedures. Physical examination of the goods at the time of import (e.g. for repair in Hong Kong) and at the time of return (e.g. after repair) to the original exporting country/place is also one of the conditions which the licensee must comply with.

For details, please refer to the STC Circular No. 14/2004.
Temporary Exports of Strategic Commodities

Licence applications covering exports of strategic commodities to any country/place on a temporary basis (e.g. participation in an exhibition after which the goods will be returned to Hong Kong) are processed by TID under special licensing procedures for temporary exports. Such licence application must be supported by documentary evidence certifying that the goods are for export to the destinating country/place on a temporary basis. Furthermore, as a condition of issue of the temporary export licence, the licensee is required to declare and undertake to :

  • bring the same goods back to Hong Kong immediately after use; and
  • present the goods and the licence to officers of the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department at Customs Control Points for examination and endorsement, both at the time of departure of the goods to the country/ place and upon their return to Hong Kong.
For details, please refer to the STC Circular No. 15/2004.
Licensing Arrangement for Articles in Transit

Articles in transit are normally not subject to import and export licensing control except those specified in Schedule 2 to the Import and Export (Strategic Commodities) Regulations (Cap. 60G, Laws of Hong Kong). Schedule 2 covers specific munitions, nuclear-related materials facilities and equipment, and their related documents containing technological information and articles for a use relating to nuclear, chemical or biological weapons.

Schedule 2 goods transiting through Hong Kong requires an import licence (in respect of the inbound journey of the consignment entering Hong Kong) and an export licence (in respect of the outbound journey leaving Hong Kong).

For applications covering goods in transit through Hong Kong, applicants should declare on the licence applications that the goods are in transit, and state the transport mode, the name of the vessel or flight number; and the expected arrival and departure dates.

As the goods under exports are normally sensitive goods, a condition of issue of the export licence that the exporter must produce a landing certificate or delivery verification certificate in respect of the goods detailed in the licence to the Director-General of Trade and Industry within 12 weeks after the date of shipment may also be imposed when the export licence is approved.
Air Transhipment Cargo Exemption Scheme for Specified Strategic Commodities (SCTREX)

To give due facilitation to the air cargo trade in strategic commodities, the Air Transhipment Cargo Exemption Scheme for Specified Strategic Commodities (SCTREX) is implemented under the Air Cargo Transhipment (Facilitation) Ordinance.  The Scheme allows eligible airlines and cargo operators who have registered with TID to be exempted from applying licence in respect of air transhipment cargo of specified strategic commodities. The Scheme covers specified strategic commodities listed in Schedule 1 to the Import and Export (Strategic Commodities) Regulations (Cap. 60G, Laws of Hong Kong) (“the Regulations”), except products listed in Schedule 2 to the Regulations, which are air transhipment cargo and remain within the confines of the cargo transhipment area of Hong Kong International Airport pending onward flights. The registrants are bound by the registration conditions and subject to post-shipment verification. 

For details, please refer to the STC Circular No. 1/2025.

Please refer to the list for some specific examples of products that are ineligible for the SCTREX.

Approval-in-Principle Arrangement for Bulk Users of Strategic Commodities Licensing Service (AIP)

AIP is a major trade facilitation scheme of TID on the strategic trade controls front. It aims to further streamline licensing procedures and expedite processing time for certain frequent and qualified users of licensing service for strategic commodities. 

A company who is a frequent user of strategic commodities licensing service in Category 3 or Category 5 and has a good compliance record would in general be eligible for AIP. It should be noted that the aforesaid criteria are general guidelines on eligibility for AIP. Each application for AIP will be considered by TID on its own merits. The validity period of AIP is normally one year. The company has to re-apply for the AIP before its expiry.

TID has been providing information and assistance for individual companies which are potentially eligible for AIP. Companies who are interested in joining AIP are welcome to contact our enquiry hotline at 2398 5626.

For details, please refer to the STC Circular No. 2/2022.

 


 

 

Last Revision Date : 19 June 2025