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The Government today (February 26) gazetted the Dutiable Commodities (Amendment) Regulation 2010 and the notice under the Motor Vehicles (First Registration Tax) Ordinance to revise certain fees for licences and services. The new fees will be effective on April 27.
The fee items to be revised are:
* licence fees for traders of dutiable commodities;
* charges for various certificates and permits for storage of dutiable commodities;
* bonded warehouse supervision charges; and
* registration fees for motor vehicle importer and/or distributor.
"In line with the 'user pays' principle, it is the Government's policy that fees and charges for public services should in general be set at levels sufficient to recover the full cost of providing the services," a government spokesman said.
"Costing review at the 2009-10 price level shows that the cost recovery level of these items ranges from 19% to 91%. The proposed rate of increase ranges from 10% to 20%. Our objective is to achieve full-cost recovery gradually.
"Most of these fees and charges were last revised in 2006-07. We will continue to enhance efficiency and streamline procedures so as to contain the costs of providing these public services," the spokesman said.
If the proposed revision of fees and charges is implemented, Government revenue will increase by $500,000 a year.
Ends/Friday, February 26, 2010
Issued at HKT 12:00
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