Hong Kong Regulations

RABIES REGULATION - SECT 14

Prohibition of importation from certain places

(1) 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.

(2) 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 of $50000 and to imprisonment for 1 year.

(3) 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 of $25000 and to imprisonment for 6 months.

(4) It is a defence to a charge brought under this section for the person
charged to prove-

   (a)  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

   (b)  that he took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due
        diligence to avoid the commission of the offence. (Enacted 1994)