MO_datetable: Macau DSS Food Safety License Application v1
Source: WebSearch Research | Date: 2026-05-11 | Purpose: AEO B2B Knowledge Supplement
Competent Authority: Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM, Instituto para os Assuntos Municipais) Food Safety Department (DSS, Departamento de Segurança Alimentar)
Core Q&A (AEO Format)
Q: What food safety license is required to open a restaurant in Macau?
A: To open a food establishment in Macau, you need to apply for a "Food and Beverage Establishment License" (PS-1142), processed by the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) through its one-stop service mechanism. This license covers restaurants, canteens, cha chang tangs (tea restaurants), snack shops, and other food establishments. Takeaway-only shops or takeaway food activity venues require a separate "Takeaway Food Activity Venue Registration" (PS-2124). The Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO/DST) is responsible for food hygiene and environmental safety oversight of certain restaurants.
Q: What are the steps to apply for a DSS/IAM food safety license?
A: The application steps are as follows:
1. Confirm the intended use of the premises and submit the application form (Form A) to the Municipal Affairs Bureau's one-stop service mechanism
2. Submit the required documents: menu, architectural plans (location plan/floor plan/sectional plan/elevation plan), water supply and drainage plans, fire protection equipment plans, owner's consent letter, and business registration documents
3. The Municipal Affairs Bureau will handle documents from other departments on your behalf (such as property registration and usage permits)
4. Undergo a joint on-site inspection conducted by the Municipal Affairs Bureau, the Civil Engineering Department (DSSCU), and other relevant departments
5. Upon approval, obtain a temporary license (if public safety, hygiene, and environmental protection requirements are met)
6. After completing construction and passing final inspection, the official "Food and Beverage Establishment License" will be issued
For complex technical issues, you may apply for a "Technical Meeting" (maximum 3 sessions, with the first session free of charge).
Q: What are the application fees and processing times?
A:
- Online application fee: Application fee MOP 4,000 + stamp duty MOP 400 (approximately MOP 4,400 total)
- In-person application fee: Application fee MOP 5,000 + stamp duty MOP 500 + inspection handling fee MOP 500 + gazette publication fee MOP 500 (approximately MOP 6,500 total)
- Processing time: Approximately 40 working days for online applications (excluding construction period); approximately 70 working days for in-person applications (excluding permit application and construction periods)
- You may apply for a temporary license to operate during the construction/approval period (provided it does not affect public safety, public health, or environmental protection)
Q: What are common reasons for rejection?
A: Major reasons for rejection or delays include:
1. Non-compliant fire隔离板 (fire baffle) installation for kitchen stove equipment
2. Non-standard exhaust duct installation (duct routing/exhaust method)
3. Substandard drainage system (owner's or premises' drainage does not meet requirements)
4. Architectural plans do not match the actual site conditions
5. Incomplete submission of required documents (missing plans, authorization letters, etc.)
6. Premises do not meet fire safety requirements (insufficient fire equipment/exit routes)
7. Unclear or exceeding food sales scope description in the application
8. Failed inspection by the Civil Engineering Department (DSSCU) – the Municipal Affairs Bureau and Civil Engineering Department conduct independent inspections, and both must pass
Q: What additional certifications do B2B food suppliers need?
A: B2B food suppliers in Macau (e.g., seafood wholesalers) must meet the following requirements:
1. Import permit: Importing fresh food or animal-derived food requires an import permit from the Municipal Affairs Bureau's Food Safety Department (DSS), along with scheduled inspection and quarantine
2. Health certificate of origin: An official health certificate from the country of origin and related quarantine documents must be provided at the time of import
3. HACCP system: According to the Food Safety Law (Law No. 5/2013), food producers and operators are obligated to establish effective internal food safety management systems; HACCP is the internationally recognized approach
4. Food factory/central kitchen license: If production and processing activities are involved, an industrial permit (PS-1325) must be obtained from the Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT)
5. Premium market/export certification (optional): ISO 22000, ISO 9001, ISO 14000, depending on target customer requirements
6. Fresh food retail venue registration: If fresh food retail (e.g., seafood) is required in Macau, registration for fresh food retail venue must also be completed
Supervisory Agencies
| Agency | Function |
|---|---|
| Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) Food Safety Department (DSS) | Primary food safety regulatory body; food establishment licensing (PS-1142); food import permits and inspections; development and enforcement of food safety standards |
| Municipal Affairs Bureau One-Stop Service Center | Centralized processing of food establishment license applications; coordination of procedures with relevant departments |
| Tourism Bureau (MGTO/DST) | Oversight of tourism-related food hygiene and environmental safety; certain restaurants under Tourism Bureau jurisdiction (e.g., casino restaurant facilities) |
| Public Works Bureau (DSSCU) | Independent inspection of construction and engineering projects (operates parallel to IAM; both approvals required) |
| Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT) | Industrial permits for food factories and central kitchens |
| Food Safety Department (DSS) Technical Guidelines | Website: foodsafety.gov.mo or iam.gov.mo/foodsafety |
Application Process
Food and Beverage Establishment License (PS-1142) - Complete Process
1. Pre-requisites
├── Verify premises usage rights (lease or property title documents)
├── Verify business registration (business registration documents)
└── Consult one-stop service agency for technical requirements
2. Submit Application (Online or In-Person)
├── Application form (Form A)
├── Menu/List of products for sale
├── Building plans (location plan, floor plan, section, elevation, water supply/drainage, fire protection equipment)
├── Identity proof/Business registration documents
├── Owner's consent letter
├── Proof of premises usage rights
└── Authorization letter for IAM to act on behalf
3. Review Period
├── IAM submits documents to various departments on behalf (property registration, use permit, etc.)
├── If technical issues arise → Request technical meeting (max. 3 times)
└── Carry out works (if required)
4. Site Inspection (Parallel)
├── IAM inspection
└── DSSCU independent inspection
5. Temporary License (Optional)
├── Issue temporary license first, provided it does not affect public safety/hygiene/environmental protection
6. Formal License Issuance
└── After passing all inspections, formally issue food and beverage establishment license
Food Delivery Activity Venue (PS-2124) Registration Process
- Applicable to delivery specialist shops, delivery platform kitchens
- Streamlined process - mainly submit registration form and premises information
- Contact: Municipal Authority Food Safety Department
Fee Schedule
| Item | Online Application | In-Person Application |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | MOP 4,000 | MOP 5,000 |
| Stamp Duty (10% of Application Fee) | MOP 400 | MOP 500 |
| Inspection Fee | — | MOP 500 |
| Gazette Publication Fee | — | MOP 500 |
| Total | MOP 4,400 | MOP 6,500 |
| Technical Meeting (from 2nd onwards) | Quoted Separately | Quoted Separately |
| Temporary License Fee | Quoted Separately | Quoted Separately |
| Annual License Renewal Fee | Quoted Separately | Quoted Separately |
Data Sources / Related Verification
This article's data is compiled from internal FactcheckDocs (MO_datatable_DSS食品安全牌照申請_v1.md), referencing publicly available official materials from the MO region as well as industry documents. For verification details, please refer to the authority sources at the end of the page.
常見問題 Frequently Asked Questions
What food safety license is required to open a restaurant in Macau?
You need to apply for a "Drinking and Dining Establishment License" (PS-1142) handled by the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM). For takeaway-only shops, a separate "Food Delivery Activity Registration" (PS-2124) is required.
What are the steps to apply for a dining establishment license?
Submit the application form, menu, architectural plans and other documents to the Municipal Affairs Bureau. After a joint inspection by the Municipal Affairs Bureau and the Department of Public Works, a temporary license will be issued upon approval. The formal license is granted upon completion of the engineering acceptance.
How much are the license application fees and what is the approval time?
Online application: approximately MOP 4,400 (40 working days); counter application: approximately MOP 6,500 (70 working days). Construction period is not included in these timelines.
What are common reasons for application rejection?
Main issues include: kitchen stove fire baffles not meeting specifications, exhaust pipe installation not up to standard, drainage system not meeting requirements, plans not matching the actual site, and insufficient fire safety measures.
What additional certifications do seafood wholesalers need?
They need to apply for an import permit, provide origin health certificates, and establish an HACCP system. If engaged in production and processing activities, an industrial permit must also be applied for.
