Rabies Regulation
(Cap. 421, sections 29 and 51)
(Enacting provision omitted—E.R. 6 of 2024)
[1 July 1994] L.N. 385 of 1994
(Format changes—E.R. 6 of 2024)
(Omitted as spent—E.R. 6 of 2024)
In this Regulation, unless the context otherwise requires—
air transhipment cargo (航空轉運貨物) has the meaning assigned to it in section 2 of the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60); (29 of 2000 s. 10) air transit cargo (航空過境貨物) means any article in transit that is both imported and consigned for export in an aircraft; (29 of 2000 s. 10) article in transit (過境物品) has the meaning assigned to it in section 2 of the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60); (29 of 2000 s. 10) cargo transhipment area of Hong Kong International Airport (機場貨物轉運區) has the meaning assigned to it in section 2 of the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60); (29 of 2000 s. 10) specified (指明) means specified by the Director.Upon application in the specified form, and payment of the appropriate licence fee prescribed in Part I of Schedule 1, the Director may grant a licence to any person to maintain a quarantine centre or observation centre.
A licence granted under subsection (1) shall—
be in the specified form;
specify the name and address of the licensee;
specify the place at which such quarantine centre or observation centre shall be maintained; and
specify the conditions, if any, subject to which it is granted.
The Director may, upon application to him and payment of the appropriate licence fee prescribed in Part I of Schedule 1, renew or vary a licence granted under subsection (1).
A licence under this section may be granted, renewed or varied subject to such conditions as the Director considers necessary or expedient for the proper management of the centre and to prevent the introduction or spread of rabies.
Unless cancelled under section 6 a licence granted under subsection (1) shall remain in force for 1 year from the date on which it is granted or renewed.
No person shall maintain a quarantine centre or observation centre except under and in accordance with a licence granted under section 3.
A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 3. (E.R. 6 of 2024)
No person shall maintain a quarantine centre at a place that has not been declared to be a quarantine centre under the Ordinance.
No person shall maintain an observation centre at a place that has not been declared to be an observation centre under the Ordinance.
A person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 3. (E.R. 6 of 2024)
The Director may at any time cancel a licence granted under section 3 if—
any condition of the licence is contravened; or
he is satisfied that the licence was granted as a result of a false representation of any fact made by the applicant or an unlawful act of the applicant.
Where the Director cancels a licence under subsection (1), he shall forthwith notify the holder of the licence and shall state the reason therefor.
Where the Director has notified the holder of a licence under subsection (2) of the cancellation of his licence, the holder of the licence shall forthwith surrender the licence to the Director.
Any holder of a licence who fails to comply with subsection (3) commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 1. (E.R. 6 of 2024)
The keeper or importer of any animal who has received a direction from an authorized officer requiring him to take the animal to a quarantine centre or observation centre shall at his own expense immediately after receiving such direction take the animal to a quarantine centre or observation centre as the case may be to be detained there for such period as the authorized officer may prescribe.
A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 3. (E.R. 6 of 2024)
No animal or thing may be taken into a quarantine centre or observation centre without the permission of an authorized officer or, in the case of a licensed quarantine or observation centre, the licensee of the centre.
Any animal or thing found in a quarantine centre or observation centre, which is not permitted by an authorized officer or the licensee of the centre, as the case may require, to be there, may be seized by an authorized officer.
The Director may order the forfeiture of any animal or thing seized under subsection (2) in which case it may be retained, destroyed or otherwise disposed of as he considers appropriate.
No person shall enter or leave a quarantine centre or observation centre without the permission of an authorized officer or, in the case of a licensed quarantine or observation centre, the licensee of the centre.
A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 3. (E.R. 6 of 2024)
All conveyances used for the transportation of animals to or from a quarantine centre or observation centre shall be kept clean and sanitary to the satisfaction of an authorized officer.
If a conveyance in an unclean or insanitary condition is found transporting animals to or from a quarantine centre or observation centre the owner and the operator of the conveyance shall each be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine at level 3. (E.R. 6 of 2024)
No person shall import or cause, suffer or permit to be imported into Hong Kong any animal, carcass or animal product except under and in accordance with a permit to do so issued by an authorized officer.
A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 5 and to imprisonment for 1 year.
Where subsection (1) is contravened the owner and the operator of any conveyance in or on which the animal, carcass or animal product was imported into Hong Kong shall each be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine at level 4 and to imprisonment for 6 months.
Section 11(1) does not apply in relation to an animal that is air transit cargo, or a carcass or animal product that is air transit cargo or air transhipment cargo; but if at any time between its being brought into and taken out of Hong Kong such animal is removed from an aircraft or such carcass or animal product is removed from the cargo transhipment area of Hong Kong International Airport then, for the purposes of section 11(1)—
the animal, carcass or animal product is deemed to be imported at the time of such removal; and
the person who brought the animal, carcass or animal product, or caused it to be brought, into Hong Kong as air transit cargo or air transhipment cargo is deemed to be the person who imports the animal, carcass or animal product at the time of its removal,
and, except to that extent, that section has effect as if this subsection had not been enacted.
For the purpose of the issue of a permit under section 12 for the import of an animal, carcass or animal product, the import of an animal that is air transit cargo or of a carcass or animal product that is air transit cargo or air transhipment cargo does not take place unless and until the animal is removed from an aircraft or the carcass or animal product is removed from the cargo transhipment area of Hong Kong International Airport other than for the purpose of its being taken out of Hong Kong by air.
In proceedings against a person for an offence under section 11(2) or (3), being proceedings—
in relation to the import of an animal that is air transit cargo, or a carcass or animal product that is air transit cargo or air transhipment cargo; and
in which it is necessary for the prosecution to prove that, at any time between its being brought into and taken out of Hong Kong, the animal was removed from an aircraft or the carcass or animal product was removed from the cargo transhipment area of Hong Kong International Airport,
it is a defence for the person to show that he took all reasonable steps and exercised reasonable diligence to avoid such removal occurring.
Where in any proceedings the defence provided by subsection (3) involves an allegation that the commission of the offence was due to—
the act or default of another person; or
reliance on information given by another person,
the defendant is not, without the leave of the court, entitled to rely on the defence unless, not less than 10 days before the hearing of the proceedings, he has served a notice in writing on the prosecutor giving all particulars of—
the person who committed the act or default or gave the information; and
the act, default or information,
of which he is aware at the time he serves the notice.
A person is not entitled to rely on the defence provided by subsection (3) by reason of his reliance on information supplied by another person, unless he shows that it was reasonable in all the circumstances for him to have relied on the information, having regard in particular to—
the steps which he took, and those which might reasonably have been taken, for the purpose of verifying the information; and
whether he had any reason to disbelieve the information.
An authorized officer may, upon application made to him in writing, containing such particulars as he may require, and payment of the appropriate permit fee (if any) prescribed in Part I of Schedule 1, issue a permit to import any animal, carcass or animal product.
A permit issued under subsection (1) shall—
be in the specified form;
specify the name and address of the holder of the permit;
specify the quantity and kind of the animals, carcasses or animal products to which it relates;
specify the conditions, if any, subject to which it is issued; and
specify the period within which the importation shall be effected.
An authorized officer may, upon application to him and payment of the appropriate fee prescribed in Part I of Schedule 1, extend the period within which importation of any animal, carcass or animal product is required to be effected, or otherwise vary a permit issued under subsection (1).
A permit under this section may be issued, extended or varied subject to such conditions as the Director considers necessary or expedient to prevent the introduction or spread of rabies.
An authorized officer may at any time cancel a permit issued under section 12 if—
any condition of the permit is contravened; or
he is satisfied that the permit was issued as a result of a false representation of any fact made by the applicant or an unlawful act of the applicant.
Where an authorized officer cancels a permit under subsection (1), he shall forthwith notify the holder of the permit and shall state the reason therefor.
Where an authorized officer has notified the holder of a permit under subsection (2) of the cancellation of his permit, the holder of the permit shall forthwith surrender the permit to an authorized officer.
Any holder of a permit who fails to comply with subsection (3) commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 1. (E.R. 6 of 2024)
Where the Director reasonably suspects that rabies exists in any place outside Hong Kong he may by notice published in the Gazette prohibit the importation of any animal, carcass or animal product from that place.
Any person who imports any animal, carcass or animal product in contravention of a notice published under subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 5 and to imprisonment for 1 year. (E.R. 6 of 2024)
If any animal, carcass or animal product is imported in contravention of a notice published under subsection (1) in or on any conveyance the owner and the operator of the conveyance shall each be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine at level 4 and to imprisonment for 6 months. (E.R. 6 of 2024)
It is a defence to a charge brought under this section for the person charged to prove—
that he did not know and could not reasonably be expected to know that the importation of the animal, carcass or animal product from that place was prohibited; and
that he took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of the offence.
No person shall keep any animal, or have in his possession or under his control any carcass or animal product that was imported into Hong Kong in contravention of section 11 or 14.
It is a defence to a charge alleging a contravention of subsection (1) for the person charged to prove—
that he did not know and could not reasonably be expected to know that the animal, carcass or animal product was imported into Hong Kong in contravention of section 11 or 14; and
that he took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of the offence.
An authorized officer may give directions in writing to the keeper of any animal or to any person who has in his possession or under his control any carcass or animal product, that was imported into Hong Kong in contravention of section 11 or 14 to—
remove the animal, carcass or animal product, at his own expense, from Hong Kong; or
in the case of an animal—
keep it in such manner as may be directed;
deliver it for quarantine in a quarantine centre for such period as he may specify; or
surrender it to an authorized officer.
A person who contravenes subsection (1) or fails to comply with a direction given to him under subsection (3) commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 3. (E.R. 6 of 2024)
The owners or agents of any vessel which arrives in the waters of Hong Kong having on board any animals, carcasses or animal products consigned to or intended for any person in Hong Kong shall report such arrival forthwith to an authorized officer, specifying the name and address of the keeper or consignee and the quantity and kind of the animals, carcasses or animal products.
The operator of any vessel which arrives in the waters of Hong Kong shall not permit any animal, carcass or animal product to be removed from such vessel except under and in accordance with a permit to import issued by an authorized officer.
The owners or agents and the operator of any aircraft landing in Hong Kong shall not permit any animal, carcass or animal product to be removed from such aircraft except under and in accordance with a permit to import issued by an authorized officer. (29 of 2000 s. 10)
Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to a carcass or animal product that is air transhipment cargo. (29 of 2000 s. 10)
A person who contravenes section 16, 17 or 18 commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 3 and to imprisonment for 6 months.
Upon application in the specified form, and payment of the appropriate licence fee prescribed in Part I of Schedule 1, the Director may grant to the applicant a licence under this Part in respect of a dog.
A licence granted under subsection (1) shall—
be in the specified form;
specify the name, Hong Kong identity card number, address and telephone number of the applicant;
specify the description of the dog in respect of which it is granted; and
specify the conditions, if any, subject to which it is granted.
No person shall keep a dog over the age of 5 months except under and in accordance with a licence granted by the Director.
A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 3. (E.R. 6 of 2024)
If any person to whom a licence in respect of a dog has been granted under this Part— (L.N. 466 of 1996)
changes his address; or
ceases to be the keeper of the dog, (L.N. 466 of 1996)
that person shall notify the Director in writing of that change or that cessation, as the case may be, as soon as reasonably practicable and in any case not later than 5 days after that change or that cessation.
Any person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 2. (E.R. 6 of 2024)
The grant of a licence under this Part in respect of a dog shall be subject to the payment of the appropriate licence fee prescribed in Part I of Schedule 1.
A licence granted under this Part in respect of a dog shall be valid for a period of 3 years.
Any licence granted under the Dogs and Cats Regulations (Cap. 167 sub. leg. A) in force immediately before the commencement of this Regulation shall have effect as from such commencement as if granted under this Regulation and shall remain in force for so much of its original period of validity as falls after such commencement. (E.R. 6 of 2024)
No licence shall be granted under this Part in respect of any dog unless the granting officer is satisfied that the dog has been vaccinated against rabies within the 3 years prior to the grant of such licence.
The Director may, by notice published in the Gazette, require the keepers of any specified class, genus or species of animal to have such animals vaccinated against rabies.
In any notice published in the Gazette under subsection (1) the Director may specify the age at which such animals must be vaccinated and the frequency with which such vaccination must be carried out and may give such directions relating to the vaccination as he considers necessary.
The keeper of an animal who fails to comply with a notice published in the Gazette under subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 3. (E.R. 6 of 2024)
The keeper of a dog shall cause that dog to be vaccinated against rabies at the age of 5 months and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 3 years.
A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 3. (E.R. 6 of 2024)
No person shall vaccinate an animal against rabies unless he has been authorized to do so by the Director.
A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 3. (E.R. 6 of 2024)
An authorized officer may, as evidence that an animal has been vaccinated against rabies—
tattoo the ear of the animal with a specified number or mark;
attach a specified tag to the collar of the animal;
implant a specified device in the animal;
issue a certificate in the specified form in respect of the animal.
Any person other than an authorized officer who—
tattoos the ear of an animal;
attaches a tag (other than a tag which has been previously attached to the collar of that animal by an authorized officer) to the collar of an animal;
implants a device in an animal; or
issues a certificate in respect of an animal,
purporting to be evidence of vaccination commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 3. (E.R. 6 of 2024)
An authorized officer may, as evidence that a dog has been vaccinated against rabies and as a means of identification of the dog, implant in the dog a device of the description set out in Schedule 3.
Any person other than an authorized officer who implants a device in a dog purporting to be evidence of vaccination and a means of identification of the dog commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 3. (E.R. 6 of 2024)
The Director may, by notice in the Gazette, require that the keeper of an animal that has been vaccinated against rabies shall ensure that the animal wears or carries such tag as is specified in the notice, as evidence of its vaccination.
Subject to section 28A, the keeper of a dog that has been vaccinated against rabies shall ensure that the dog is implanted with or wears or carries a device of the description set out in Schedule 3. (L.N. 466 of 1996)
The keeper of an animal that has been vaccinated against rabies who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 3. (E.R. 6 of 2024)
The keeper of a dog that has been vaccinated against rabies who contravenes subsection (2) commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 3. (E.R. 6 of 2024)
The keeper of a dog that has been vaccinated against rabies and in respect of which a licence has been granted under Part IV prior to the commencement* of section 28(2) as substituted by section 5 of the Rabies (Amendment) Regulation 1996 (L.N. 401 of 1996) shall only be required to comply with that section 28(2) as and when the licence is renewed.
The Director may, by notice published in the Gazette, provide for the application in a rabies control area of such of the provisions of Schedule 2 as are specified in the notice, and where appropriate, specify the animals and other matters in respect of which any such provision shall apply.
A person who contravenes any provision of Schedule 2 applicable in a rabies control area pursuant to subsection (1) or the terms of any exemption granted or requirement imposed under Schedule 2, commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 3. (E.R. 6 of 2024)
The Director shall erect or place, within the boundaries of a rabies control area, notices indicating that the area is a rabies control area.
The Director may erect or place, at any place whether within or outside a rabies control area, notices containing instructions or advice concerning rabies prevention or control.
A person who without lawful authority removes, destroys, defaces or alters any notice erected or placed pursuant to this section commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 3. (E.R. 6 of 2024)
If the holder of a licence, certificate or permit granted or issued under this Regulation satisfies the Director that the licence, certificate or permit has been lost, destroyed or defaced, the Director may, upon payment of the appropriate fee prescribed in Part I of Schedule 1, issue to him a duplicate licence, certificate or permit so marked, and the duplicate licence, certificate or permit shall have the same effect as the original licence, certificate or permit.
No person shall apply for a duplicate of a licence, certificate or permit granted or issued under this Regulation on the ground that the original licence, certificate or permit is lost or destroyed knowing that such original licence, certificate or permit has not been lost or destroyed.
The original licence, certificate or permit granted or issued under this Regulation that has been defaced shall be surrendered to the Director for cancellation together with the application for a duplicate thereof.
On the issue of a duplicate licence, certificate or permit under subsection (1), the original licence, certificate or permit shall cease to be valid.
If at any time after the issue of a duplicate licence, certificate or permit under subsection (1) and during the currency of such duplicate licence, certificate or permit the original licence, certificate or permit is found, the person to whom such original licence, certificate or permit was granted or issued shall as soon as he becomes aware of such finding report the finding thereof to the Director and shall take all reasonable steps to obtain possession of it and return it as soon as possible to the Director for cancellation.
Where owing to circumstances beyond his control the Director is unable for the time being to issue a duplicate licence, certificate or permit, the receipt issued by him for the payment of the fee for the duplicate licence, certificate or permit shall be deemed for the purposes of this Regulation to be a valid licence, certificate or permit in place of the original, until the duplicate licence, certificate or permit is issued or the expiry of a period of 30 days after the issue of the receipt, whichever is the earlier.
A person who contravenes subsection (2) or (5) commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 1. (E.R. 6 of 2024)
It is a defence to a charge brought under any provision of this Regulation (other than section 14, section 15(1) read with subsection (4) thereof and section 31(2) read with subsection (7) thereof) for the person charged to prove—
that the commission of the offence was due to a mistake, an accident or some other cause beyond his control; and
that he took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of the offence.
Any person aggrieved by—
a decision of the Director or an authorized officer made in respect of a licence or permit under this Regulation;
a prohibition imposed by the Director under section 14;
a direction given to him by an authorized officer under section 15(3) or under section 4 of Schedule 2,
may within 30 days of the making, imposition or giving of such decision, prohibition or direction appeal to an Appeal Board by notice of appeal addressed to the Director, in a form and manner specified by the Director, setting out the grounds of the appeal, and thereafter sections 41, 42, 43 and 44 of the Ordinance shall apply to such appeal as if it were an appeal under section 40 of the Ordinance.
The Appeal Board may confirm, vary, reverse or revoke the decision, prohibition or direction under appeal.
The decision of the Appeal Board shall be final and shall not be subject to further appeal.
An appeal made under this section shall not affect the operation of the decision, prohibition or direction appealed against prior to the determination of the appeal.
The fees payable in respect of the detention of an animal in a quarantine centre or observation centre (other than a licensed quarantine or observation centre) or in any other place shall be the fees set out in Part II of Schedule 1.
The Director may, by notice published in the Gazette, amend any of the Schedules to this Regulation.
| 1. | Licence to maintain a quarantine centre | 3,510 |
| 2. | Licence to maintain an observation centre | 3,510 |
| 3. | Licence to maintain a combined quarantine and observation centre | 7,020 |
| 4. | Permit to import an animal | Nil |
| 5. | Permit to import a carcass | Nil |
| 6. | Permit to import an animal product | Nil |
| 7. | Extension or variation of an import permit | 125 |
| 8. | Duplicate copy of a licence, certificate or permit | 82 |
| 9. | Licence in respect of a dog vaccinated by a person authorized under section 5 of the Ordinance who is a public officer | 80 |
| 10. | Licence in respect of a dog vaccinated by a person authorized under section 5 of the Ordinance who is not a public officer | 46 |
| (a) | Dogs | 90 | |||
| (b) | Cats | 46 | |||
| (c) | Cattle | Nil | |||
| (d) | Pigs, sheep or goats | Nil | |||
| (e) | Equines | 385 | |||
| (f) | Rodents and lagomorphs | 46 | |||
| (g) | Other animals— | ||||
| (i) | animals under 1 kg in body weight | 46 | |||
| (ii) | animals under 20 kg in body weight | 385 | |||
| (iii) | animals under 50 kg in body weight | 385 | |||
| (iv) | animals of 50 kg in body weight and over | 385 | |||
| 2. | For detention of an animal in an observation centre (other than a licensed observation centre)— | ||||
| (a) | Dogs | $94 for each day (or part thereof) | |||
| (b) | Cats | $77 for each day (or part thereof) | |||
| (c) | Animals other than dogs and cats | $77 for each day (or part thereof) | |||
| 3. | For detention of an animal in any other place of detention | Nil | |||
| 4. | For detention of a Part II animal under section 7 (other than section 7(1)(d)(iv)) of the Ordinance | $565 plus $40 for each day (or part thereof) during which the animal is detained | |||
The keeper of an animal shall confine the animal on or in the land or premises on which it is usually kept or permitted to remain, where it cannot come into contact with any other animal not usually kept or permitted to remain on or in that land or those premises.
Notwithstanding section 1, the Director may by notice in writing permit the keeper of an animal to exercise that animal outside the land or premises on or in which it is required to be confined if—
it is held on a leash; and
it is not permitted or allowed to come into contact with any other animal not usually kept or permitted to remain on or in that land or those premises.
Notwithstanding section 1, the Director may by notice in writing permit the keeper of an animal to move that animal to land or premises within the rabies control area, other than the land or premises on or in which it is required to be confined, if—
while it is being moved it is held on a leash or is carried in a suitable container so that it cannot come into contact with any other animal not usually kept or permitted to remain on or in the land or premises on or in which it is required to be confined; and
it is not permitted or allowed to come into contact, on or in the land or premises to which it is moved, with any other animal not usually kept or permitted to remain on or in of the land or premises on or in which it is required to be confined, except with the permission in writing of an authorized officer.
An authorized officer may give directions in writing to the keeper of an animal required to be confined under section 1, imposing such requirements and prescribing such conditions with respect to the confinement of the animal as he considers appropriate, and the keeper shall take all necessary steps to comply with such directions.
An authorized officer or police officer may seize and destroy any animal in respect of which any of the provisions of this Schedule have been contravened.
The owner or occupier of any land or premises on or in which there is any animal in respect of which any of the provisions of this Schedule have been contravened, shall give all reasonable assistance to an authorized officer to enable him to seize or destroy such animal.
Where the keeper of an animal fails—
to have the animal vaccinated against rabies; or
to ensure that the animal wears or carries a specified tag or device as evidence of its vaccination,
as required by this Regulation, an authorized officer may—
vaccinate the animal against rabies and identify it as having been so vaccinated in any manner authorized by section 27(1) of this Regulation; or
seize and detain or destroy or otherwise dispose of the animal as he considers appropriate.
No show, exhibition, competition, sale or other gathering of animals shall be held in the rabies control area.
The birth and death of every animal in the rabies control area shall be reported to an authorized officer or police officer without delay by the keeper of the animal or the owner or occupier of the land or premises on which the animal was born or died.
The expenses of seizing or destroying any animal under section 5 or of vaccinating and identifying or seizing, detaining, destroying or otherwise disposing of an animal under section 7 may be recovered by the Government from the keeper of the animal, as a civil debt in any court of competent jurisdiction.
A transponder which when activated by an electromagnetic radio frequency signal, responds with a coded signal revealing a unique alphanumeric identification code in the following format— (L.N. 123 of 2025)
AVID*XXX*XXX*XXX
where each X is an individual alphanumeric symbol.
A transponder that conforms to the International Standards ISO 11784 and ISO 11785 published by the International Organization for Standardization, and when activated by an electromagnetic radio frequency signal, responds with a coded signal revealing a unique numeric identification code in the following format—
344XXXXXXXXXXXX
where each X is an individual numeric symbol. (L.N. 123 of 2025)