TNAG-2133-FCO40-3048-Hong-Kong-and-the-ivory-trade-1990 — Page 93

Dear sir,

Draft reply to CITES Secretariat

Survey of Ivory Trade Legislation

Thank you for your telefax of 3 August 1990.

I suggest the notes on updated information on ivory control

in Hong Kong be amended as follows :

"Hong Kong was the beneficiary of a reservation entered by

the United Kingdom on its behalf, for a period of six months ending 17

July 1990.

It had nonetheless adopted a voluntary moratorium on all

commercial imports of raw and worked ivory (on 16 June 1989 and 18

Novermber 1989, respectively).

Since October 1989, Hong Kong has required licences for the

possession of any quantity of ivory for commercial purposes and for

ivory of personal effects in excess of 5 kg. Domestic regulations with

respect to personal or household effects, stricter than required under

CITES, have also been introduced. Licences are required for the import

of worked ivory in excess of 1 kg or export of worked ivory in excess

of 5 kg of personal effects.

As from 17 July 1990, in compliance with CITES Article VII

paragraph 3(a), a licence is required for a person exporting or

importing personal effects of ivory if they were acquired outside his

country of usual residence and are being brought into that country."

With regard to the advice to visitors on the latest ivory regulations, the Hong Kong Tourist Association is making arrangements to include

such advice in guide-books distributed to visitors.

Yours faithfully,

(

for Director of Agriculture & Fisheries