Restricted/ Sensitive Shipping Items Reminder
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      Reminders for shipping food

      When shipping food items, it is recommended to select FedEx Express as the carrier, as other carriers may not accept parcels containing food items.

      ⚠️ Important Guidelines for International Shipments

      To ensure compliance with international shipping regulations, please refrain from shipping the following items:

      1. Meat & Seafood: This category includes any form of meat and seafood, such as meat/seafood powder, oil, chunks, sauces, seasoning packs, canned foods, dried meat/seafood, and processed food items like sausages, bacon, meat floss, ham, meat jerky, and dried shredded squid/seafood.

      2. Dairy Product: Please avoid shipping dairy products such as butter cream, cheese fillings, milk powder, and custard.

      3. Animal Ingredients: Items containing animal ingredients should not be shipped. Examples include salted egg yolk, fish skin crackers, mayonnaise, collagen powder, pearl powder, and whey powder.

      4. Other: Certain types of processed food and fresh food are restricted for international shipments. Please refrain from shipping items like maple syrup, honey, rice, dried Chinese herbs, dried herbs, vegetables, and fruits

      Please take note of the following guidelines to ensure smooth and hassle-free shipping of your items:

      1. Endangered Species: Different countries have varying definitions of endangered species. To avoid any clearance issues with your shipments, please refrain from shipping any food items that consist of meat and seafood, such as crocodile meat, bird's nest, shark fin, starfish, seahorse, abalone, sea cucumber, fish maw, etc.

      2. Chinese Soup Materials: Customs in many countries typically classify Chinese soup materials as "dried herbs" or "dried Chinese medicine," which are considered "restricted/prohibited items." Therefore, it is advisable to avoid shipping items like Ginseng, Japanese honeysuckle, dried mandarin orange peel (chen pi), jelly ear, etc.

      3. Medicinal Ingredients: In compliance with Hong Kong regulations, if you intend to import or export products containing medicinal ingredients, you must apply for a drug import and export license in advance. For personal shipments, please refrain from shipping any items that contain medicinal ingredients.

      4. Powder or Liquid Food: If your parcels contain any food items in powder or liquid form, the customs of the destination country may request the shipper to submit the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) certificate to complete the customs clearance process. This certificate can be obtained from the product seller or manufacturer. Failure to provide the MSDS certificate as required by the customs may result in the parcel being returned or destroyed, with all additional costs to be borne by the sender.

      5. Canned Food and Animal Canned Food: Please refrain from shipping canned food and animal canned food, as they are typically classified as "Meat & Seafood Processed Food" and considered "prohibited/restricted items" in customs regulations.

      6. Animal/Pet Foods and Pet Snacks: Avoid shipping animal/pet foods and pet snacks, as they are typically classified as "prohibited/restricted items."

      7. Packaging Protection: To ensure adequate protection for your items during shipping, please pack them with multiple layers of bubble wrap and other suitable cushioning materials.

      8. Documentation and Proof: Customs reserves the right to request additional supporting documents if they have any doubts about the shipping items. These documents may include proof of item contents. Failure to provide the necessary valid documents may result in the parcel being returned or destroyed, in accordance with the customs' requirements.

      9. Imported Food Regulations: Different countries have varying regulations on imported food shipments. Some items may be classified as prohibited, while others may be restricted based on factors such as quantity, weight, and country of origin. Importers may also be required to submit an import permit and food manufacturer license issued by the local FDA or Ministry of Health. If you are unsure about the customs policy at the destination, please contact the Spaceship Customer Service team for assistance. 

      If Spaceship/ carrier/ customs authorities found any regulated items inside shipments but client did not declare shipping items properly or did not prepare the package as required, the client will be charged an additional regulated items handling fee of HKD 85 per package, as well as the return shipping costs.

      If Spaceship/ carrier/ customs authorities found any prohibited items inside shipments, the sender will be liable for any additional charges, fines, or administrative fees incurred as a result of violating the prohibited items policy, and the order made will not be refunded. 

      Recommended Shipment Weight for Personal Use

      1. The shipment weight limit should be under 5kg for reasonable personal use.

      2. The food items must be in a complete, manufactured package that includes clear information on the outer packaging, such as the "Detailed Item Name," "Manufacturer Details," "Nutrition Facts," "Ingredients," and "Expiration Date."

      3. On the customs declaration, you should mention the purpose of the shipment as either "Personal Use" or "Gift for Receiver & No Commercial Value." Additionally, specify "No Meat & Egg Yolk" on the declaration. Here are some examples:

        • Gift: Happy Brand Mooncake (No Meat & Egg Yolk, Purpose: Gift for Receiver & No Commercial Value)
        • Personal Use: Happy Brand Mooncake (No Meat & Egg Yolk, Purpose: Personal Use)

      Can I Ship Fried Seafood?

      When shipping dried seafood and meat-free soup ingredient packs for personal use, please consider the following guidelines:

      • Only the United Kingdom permits the importation of these items, so be sure to familiarize yourself with the specific import regulations and guidelines for the UK.
      • Each box or shipment should not exceed a maximum weight of 15kg to avoid it being considered a commercial shipment by local customs. If the weight limit is exceeded, additional procedures or documents may be required for customs clearance
      • Declare each item separately in English and provide accurate and detailed information about the contents of the package on the customs declaration form or any required documentation.
      • It is advisable to ship packaged dried seafood or soup ingredients with complete packaging and English food ingredient labels. Avoid sending self-packaged seafood, as it may not comply with import regulations.

      For example, here are some manufactured packed soup ingredient packs:

      Brand: XYZ Soup Ingredient Pack (Declared as: Soup Ingredient Pack)

      Manufacturer: ABC Food Company

      Ingredients: Dehydrated vegetables, herbs, spices

      Net Weight: 500g

      Country of Origin: United Kingdom

      DE-STRESS-Maitake-Mushroom-Soup-with-Lily-Bulb-and-Red-Kidney-Bean-1 DE-STRESS-Maitake-Mushroom-Soup-with-Lily-Bulb-and-Red-Kidney-Bean-2

      Country-Specific Reminders

      By adhering to these guidelines, you can help ensure a seamless shipping process for your items. Should you have any further questions or require assistance, please don't hesitate to contact Spaceship Customer Service.

      Shipping food to United Kingdom

      When shipping food items to the United Kingdom, please take note of the following guidelines:

      1. Eggs and Meat: It is important to note that any food containing eggs or meat, such as sausages and bacon, cannot be shipped to the United Kingdom.

      2. Mooncakes : If you plan to ship mooncakes, please ensure that they do not contain any meat (such as sausage, bacon, meat floss, or ham) and egg yolk. Additionally, the mooncakes must be in a complete manufacturer's package and include clear information on the outer packaging, such as the "Detailed Item Name," "Manufacturer Details," "Nutrition Facts," "Ingredients," and "Expiration Date."

      3. Chinese New Year Food: It is important to note that all types of food mentioned in the previous guidelines, including those in the blue block, are prohibited from being shipped out during the Chinese New Year.

      Shipping food to France

      Please be aware that all food items are currently prohibited from being imported into France using international express shipping. The receiver must engage their own assigned brokerage company to handle the import clearance process and final delivery.

      In cases where the import clearance cannot be completed, the customs authorities will follow standard operating procedures and return the shipment without prior notification. It is important to note that the shipper will be responsible for all associated charges in such instances.


      Shipping food to Germany

      Individuals are allowed to import food items for personal use in rational quantities, suggested to be within 2 kg. However, please note the following restrictions:

      1. Prohibited Items: Food items containing eggs, meat (such as sausage, bacon), seafood (including fish products and dried seafood), and dairy (such as butter cream and cheese) cannot be shipped to France.

      Regarding seasonal food items, please follow these guidelines:

      Mooncakes:

      • Mooncakes must not contain any meat (such as sausage, bacon, meat floss, and ham), egg yolk, seafood (including fish products and dried seafood), or dairy (such as butter cream and cheese).
      • The mooncakes must be in a complete manufacturer's package and include clear information on the outer packaging, such as the "Detailed Item Name," "Manufacturer Details," "Nutrition Facts," "Ingredients," and "Expiration Date."
      • On the declaration, clearly mention the purpose: "Personal Use / Gift for Receiver & No Commercial Value" and specify "No Meat & Egg Yolk." Examples of declaration statements are provided below:
        • Gift: Happy Brand Mooncake (No Meat & Egg Yolk, Purpose: Gift for Receiver & No Commercial Value)
        • Personal Use: Happy Brand Mooncake (No Meat & Egg Yolk, Purpose: Personal Use)

      Chinese New Year Food:

      It is important to note that all types of food mentioned in the previous guidelines, including those in the blue block, are prohibited from being shipped out during the Chinese New Year.

        Shipping Food to Netherlands

        As the Netherlands is a member country of the European Union (EU), it is important to note that most EU countries classify food items as "Restricted Import Items." Therefore, individuals cannot import food items for personal use in the Netherlands.

        Only businesses or companies with an official import license issued by the EU are permitted to import food items into the country.

        Regarding seasonal food items, please adhere to the following guidelines:

        1. Mooncakes - Seasonal Food: Mooncakes are prohibited from being shipped out to the Netherlands due to the aforementioned regulations. Therefore, they cannot be sent to the Netherlands.

        2. Chinese New Year Food - Seasonal Food: Similar to mooncakes, all types of Chinese New Year food mentioned in the previous guidelines are also prohibited from being shipped out to the Netherlands.

        Shipping Food to Spain

        1. Any food containing eggs, meat (such as sausage and bacon), seafood (including fish products and dried seafood), and dairy (like butter, cream, and cheese) is not permitted.

        2. All food items must comply with the regulations set by the Ministry of Health in Spain.

        3. Prior to customs clearance, all food items shipped to Spain require a sanitary inspection. The sanitary inspection process necessitates the submission of the following documents:

          • Importer's registration number with the Ministry of Health
          • Importer's warehouse facilities registration number with the Ministry of Health
          • Certificate of analysis from the producer, including lot numbers and other identification marks
          • Original letter from the importer stating the intended use of the product

        However, the following situations are exempt from the sanitary inspection (control):

        For Individual Shipments:

        • Consumer to Consumer: Items valued under 150 EUR and complying with Spain's Ministry of Health regulations, such as gifts and personal use items, can be imported and exempted from sanitary inspection (control). The importer must include an original statement indicating the intended use of the product (e.g., personal use or gift for the receiver) and confirming the identity as an individual.
        • Business to Consumer: Items valued under 150 EUR and complying with Spain's Ministry of Health regulations, such as e-commerce shipments, can be imported and exempted from sanitary inspection (control). Prior to shipping, the exporter must include an original statement stating the intended use of the product and confirming that the importer's identity is an individual. However, if the item value exceeds 150 EUR, customs will consider it a B2B shipment, and the importer must adhere to the general reminders outlined in point (3) to arrange for sanitary inspection (control).

        For Business Shipments:

        • Business to Business: Regardless of the item value, the importer must follow the general reminders outlined in point (3) to arrange for sanitary inspection (control).

        Additionally, the shipment of seasonal food items, such as Chinese New Year Food and Mooncakes, is strictly prohibited. 

        Shipping food to United States

        1. Food that contains meat ingredients is not allowed to be shipped.

        2. When shipping any type of food to the United States, whether for commercial use or personal consumption, in large or small volumes, the U.S. Customs may request the shipper to provide a "Prior Notice of Imported Foods" as required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If necessary, the shipper can apply for the Prior Notice on the FDA website.

        ⚠️To determine the eligibility for the "Prior Notice of Imported Foods," please consider the following criteria:

         Mooncake:

        • Mooncakes must not contain any meat ingredients such as sausage, bacon, meat floss, or ham.
        • Mooncakes must be in a complete and properly labeled package, including clear information on the outer packaging such as the "Detailed Item Name," "Manufacturer Details," "Nutrition Facts," "Ingredients," and "Expiration Date."
        • The declared value of the item must be under 100 USD.
        • The customs declaration should state the purpose of the shipment as "Personal Use" or "Gift for Receiver & No Commercial Value" and include the statement "No Meat & Egg Yolk." Here are a few examples:
          • Gift: Happy Brand Mooncake (No Meat & Egg Yolk, Purpose: Gift for Receiver & No Commercial Value)
          • Personal Use: Happy Brand Mooncake (No Meat & Egg Yolk, Purpose: Personal Use)

        Chinese New Year Food:

        The shipment of all types of food mentioned in the previous blue block is prohibited.

        Wine/spirits

        • Regardless of personal gift or business use, To ship wine/spirits to the US, the receiver in US must hold a "Basic Permit for Importer and/or Wholesaler" issued by the US Department of the Treasury - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF)
        • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations require advance Prior Notice (PN) information for imported food items, including wine/spirits.
        • if the Alcohol concentration level is or over 30%, Hong Kong shipper has to provide the purchase proof and ingredient list of the wine/spirits

        Shipping food to Australia and New Zealand 

        1. Food items that contain eggs, meat ingredients, seeds, or plant seeds cannot be shipped. This includes items like raw scented tea and red dates.

        2. Australia and New Zealand have stringent inspections for imported food due to their focus on environmental conservation and species protection. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid sending food items such as dried plants, seafood, and traditional Chinese medicinal herbs to these countries.

        Mooncake:

        • Mooncakes must not contain any meat ingredients, including sausage, bacon, meat floss, or ham.
        • Mooncakes should be in a complete and properly labeled package, providing clear information on the outer packaging like the "Detailed Item Name," "Manufacturer Details," "Nutrition Facts," "Ingredients," and "Expiration Date."
        • The customs declaration should include the purpose of the shipment, stating either "Personal Use" or "Gift for Receiver & No Commercial Value," and specifying that the mooncake contains "No Meat & Egg Yolk." Here are a couple of examples:
          • Gift: Happy Brand Mooncake (No Meat & Egg Yolk, Purpose: Gift for Receiver & No Commercial Value)
          • Personal Use: Happy Brand Mooncake (No Meat & Egg Yolk, Purpose: Personal Use)

        Chinese New Year Food:

        The shipment of all types of food mentioned in the previous blue block is prohibited.

        Shipping food to Japan

        1. Food items that contain meat ingredients cannot be shipped.

        2. The import of food items is only allowed for "Personal Use" and "Gift" purposes. The quantity should be limited to under 10kg, assuming it is for reasonable personal consumption.

        3. For business shipments, regardless of quantity, it is necessary to obtain import permits and inspection certificates from the Food Bureau of the Ministry of Health.

        Mooncake:

        • Mooncakes must not contain any meat ingredients, such as sausage, bacon, meat floss, or ham. However, there are no special restrictions on the inclusion of egg yolk.

        Chinese New Year Food:

        The shipment of all types of food mentioned in the previous blue block is prohibited.

          Shipping food to Taiwan 

          1. Food items that contain meat ingredients, such as sausage, bacon, meat floss, and ham, cannot be shipped.

          2. For personal shipments, each food item should be valued at less than 1000 US dollars and weigh less than 6 kilograms.

          3. The weight of food additives should not exceed 1 kilogram, and the weight of spices should be within 200 grams.

          Mooncake:

          • For personal shipments, if the mooncake exceeds 6 kilograms in weight or has a value over 1000 USD, it must be accompanied by an import approval issued by the Taiwan FDA of the Ministry of Health.
          • For company shipments, regardless of quantity and weight, the importer must enclose an import approval issued by the Taiwan FDA of the Ministry of Health.
          • Mooncake shipments that contain meat ingredients, such as sausage, bacon, meat floss, and ham, must be accompanied by an import approval issued by the Taiwan FDA of the Ministry of Health and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture.
          • Mooncake products manufactured in China (with China listed as the country of origin) are prohibited from import.

          Please be aware that violating import regulations or making false declarations may result in fines ranging from 50,000 to 1,000,000 New Taiwan Dollars.

          Chinese New Year Food:

          The shipment of all types of food mentioned in the previous blue block is prohibited.

          Shipping food to Malaysia 

          All food shipments, regardless of whether they are for personal or commercial use, require an import permit for importation.

          Shipping food to Thailand 

          Based on the local food safety and sanitation act and customs regulations in Thailand, importing food items for personal use may be prohibited.

          Shipping food to Korea 

          1. Food items that contain meat and nuts cannot be shipped.

          2. Shipments for commercial use require an import permit.

          Mooncake:

          • Mooncakes must not contain any meat ingredients, such as sausage, bacon, meat floss, and ham. Additionally, they should not contain egg yolk, seafood (including fish products and dried seafood), dairy (such as butter cream and cheese), or nuts.
          • Mooncakes should be in a complete and properly labeled package, providing clear information on the outer packaging, such as the "Detailed Item Name," "Manufacturer Details," "Nutrition Facts," "Ingredients," and "Expiration Date."
          • The customs declaration should mention the purpose of the shipment, stating either "Personal Use" or "Gift for Receiver & No Commercial Value," along with specifying "No Meat & Egg Yolk" and indicating the country of origin. Here is an example:
            • Happy Brand Mooncake (Purpose: Gift for Receiver & No Commercial Value, Exp Date: Oct.05.2023, Country of Origin: Hong Kong)

          Chinese New Year Food:

          The shipment of all types of food mentioned in the previous blue block is prohibited.

          Shipping food to Singapore 

          1. Food items that contain egg and meat cannot be shipped.

          2. It is recommended to keep the shipment weight under 5kg.

          3. A food import certificate is required for items with a declared value over SGD 300.

          Mooncake:

          Mooncakes must not contain any meat ingredients, such as sausage, bacon, meat floss, and ham, as well as egg yolk.

          Chinese New Year Food:

          The shipment of all types of food mentioned in the previous blue block is prohibited.

             
             
            Last Updated: 16 Feb 2024