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The Dutiable Commodities (Amendment) Regulation 2014 was gazetted today (March 21) to implement an electronic licensing regime relating to dutiable commodities (DCs). The Regulation requires traders who import, export or manufacture DCs or operate a warehouse for storing DCs to obtain from the Customs and Excise Department relevant licences under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance through an electronic licensing system.
"Under the electronic licensing regime, traders will submit licence applications through electronic means, thus saving their time and manpower resources spent in the current paper application process," a Government spokesman said.
"Traders may also benefit from reduced processing time required for licence applications and enjoy new and convenient services such as receipt of automatic reminders of licence renewal and electronic notification of payment of licence fees."
The Regulation will be tabled at the Legislative Council on March 26 for negative vetting. Once the relevant computer system is ready, the Regulation will come into operation in early 2017 on a date to be specified. The Government will formally announce the exact implementation date nearer the time. To facilitate traders' adaptation to the electronic licensing system, the Regulation provides for a transitional period of six months after the coming into operation of the system. During the six-month period, traders may submit licence applications in either paper form or electronic form.
Ends/Friday, March 21, 2014
Issued at HKT 11:06
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