Control on Import and Export of Waste

Enforcement Networking

Overseas Authorities

EPD liaises regularly with the competent authorities of the major waste trade partners of Hong Kong to share operational experience and to fine-tune the criteria for selecting waste shipment for inspection and defining the acceptability of waste. Due to the heavy sea cargo traffic at many international ports and the time consuming tasks for screening shipping information and conducting inspection, dubious waste shipments may sometimes escape inspection at the states of export prior to their departure. In this regard, EPD has made arrangements with some competent authorities including the Dutch, Belgian, Scottish, Japan and Malaysia authorities that under such circumstances, they would provide information on the name of vessel, the container number(s), and the date of departure in order to arrange interception of waste shipment upon its arrival in Hong Kong. This is beneficial to both authorities as it allows extra time to scrutinise shipping information and to coordinate the necessary enforcement activities.