Animal Importation

 

Step 1. Information collection and planning 

• User will provide information on the source of animals, strains, gender and quantity of animals intended to relocate/procure.
• ​If required, LAF provides advice on the selection of animals based on their genetic characteristics and users’ experimentation plan (contact: Dr. Siva Tsang; tsangwh@ust.hk).
• If the animals are procured from certain commercial vendors (e.g. The Jackson Laboratory, Charles River and Biolasco), LAF will help to get quotations for users’ procurement.

Step 2. Biosecurity check

• Before confirming animal importation/purchase, please submit the following to LAF.
  1. Service Request Form
  2. Animal Importation Form
  3. One year of health surveillance reports (with the most recent report generated no more than 90 days of shipment)
• If importation approved:
  • import directly to LAF without quarantine or further screening, or
  • import directly to LAF for quarantine​ and microorganism screening, or
  • rederive upon arrival.
• If importation not approved:
  • Infected animals are cleaned-up from the source at the facility after deemed fit by LAF before transportation.

Step 3. Transportation arrangement

• • If the animals are procured from certain commercial vendors (e.g. The Jackson Laboratory and Biolasco), LAF will help to arrange animal transportation from the vendors to LAF (contact: Mr. William Chau; bokwchau@ust.hk).
  • Otherwise, the researcher will organize the shipment with a courier of their own choice and decide on a date of import agreed upon by LAF.
  • Users are responsible for applying Import Permits, if the animals are not coming from The Jackson Laboratory (please read the Animal Import Permit Application page for details).
  • Animal delivery to HKUST must be arranged to arrive between Mon-Fri (non-public holiday), 9:00am-5:00pm, and must notify LAF soon after the confirmation of the schedule.
  • On the date of import, the animals will be received by the researcher at HKUST. The researcher should confirm upon receival of animals from the courier that the procured animals are accurate in strain and quantity and supplied with the correct documentation.  The researcher will then transport the animals to the LAF checkpoint (L zone lobby) where the animals will be handed over to LAF personnel.
  • Reminder: Declarations are required by law to be lodged with the Government within 14 days after importation/exportation of goods. E-form can be found in PURO link (tips from LAF: for mice, use HS Code “1061900” and Description of Goods “live mice”).

Step 4. Animal arrival health check and quarantine

• The condition of the animals​ will be evaluated upon arrival.
• If quarantine is not required, animals will be brought into the SPF animal holding barrier by a designated LAF staff.
• If quarantine is required, the animals will be cared for and monitored by the LAF vet team. Microbiological screening ​will be carried out during quarantine to confirm the microbiological quality of the animals before relocating to the SPF animal holding barrier (contact: Dr. Dawn Ngai; dawnngai@ust.hk).
• If rederivation is required, LAF will provide assistance for rederivation on animals. (contact: Dr. Siva Tsang; tsangwh@ust.hk).