​The 2026-27 Budget proposed that Hong Kong’s food industry can leverage its reputation for quality to further expand into the Mainland and international markets. The Government will continue discussions with Mainland authorities, seeking market access and simplified customs arrangements on the Mainland for a wider range of local food products. The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will waive the fees related to the certification of food products for two years. A spokesman for the CFS said today (March 18) that the relevant certificates include:

＊Food Inspection Certificate, its certified true copy and amendment certificate;
＊Health Certificate for Foods of Animal Origin, its certified true copy and amendment certificate;
＊Recommendation on Food Manufacturer Registration; and
＊Advance Release Permission.

     The fee waiver for the above Food Inspection Certificate and the Health Certificate for Foods of Animal Origin, including their certified true copies and amendment certificates, will take effect from April 1, 2026, until March 31, 2028. The CFS had earlier waived the application fees for the Recommendation on Food Manufacturer Registration and the Advance Release Permission, and these waivers will remain in effect until March 31, 2028.

     The spokesman said, “This measure aims to facilitate the further opening up of the Mainland and international markets for the industry. In addition, the scope of Advance Release Arrangement has been extended from the initial three categories of food products, namely beverages, pastries, and candies, to a total of six. The three newly added categories of food products are tea leaves, seasonings (ground) and noodles (without meat ingredient).”

     Applicants for the Food Inspection Certificate, the Health Certificate for Foods of Animal Origin, the Recommendation on Food Manufacturer Registration, and the Advance Release Permission may proceed with applications for the certificates during the aforementioned concession period at the CFS office, or through the Food Trader Portal, the CFS’s one-stop online communication platform, without the need to pay the relevant fees. For details, please call 2867 5577. The CFS has also begun holding briefing sessions for the trade to introduce the above arrangements.