Seafood importers complain of lack of FEHD staffing, long waits for Japanese import inspection

Seafood importers are complaining about long wait times for FEHD inspections after checks for imported seafood from Japan were increased subsequent to the ban of seafood originating from ten regions of Japan.

A batch of seafood from Japan, which was laid out for inspection in the loading bay of the airport at 11 pm, on Thursday (Sept 14), had yet to be inspected by FEHD staff as of 2 am this morning.  

Importers who were worried about their products spoiling contacted the department, leaving their drivers waiting for inspectors to arrive after receiving a response from FEHD.  

According to the press release by the FEHD, it is understood that an average inspection time for the imported Japanese aquatic goods should be completed in around one hour as per previous scenarios, and if including the time spent cleaning and transporting the items, it should be completed within three to four hours.  

However, importers believe that the Hong Kong government's policy to increase inspection does not include an increase in workforce, resulting in extremely long waiting times for inspection. With insufficient labor, completing box-by-box inspections within the expected time is impossible.  

They are worried that aquatic products and other food will spoil, resulting in heavy losses, and urged the department to increase labor for the inspections.