Enhanced facilitation measures for wine entering the Mainland through Hong Kong (with photos/video)
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     Hong Kong and the Mainland today (September 18) signed a supplement to the co-operation arrangement on customs facilitation measures for wine entering the Mainland market through Hong Kong. The supplement enhances the facilitation measures that cater to Hong Kong.

     The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, and Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Ms Qiu Hong, witnessed the signing of the supplement by the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Clement Cheung, and Vice Minister of the General Administration of Customs, Mr Sun Yibiao.

     The customs facilitation measures originally agreed by the two Customs administrations in 2010 applied to Hong Kong re-exporters registered with the Trade and Industry Department (TID), as well as importers registered on the Mainland.  

     The facilitation measures have been brought into operation at designated ports in Shenzhen and Guangzhou in stages since 2010. Up to August 2014, wine re-exported to the Mainland under the arrangement amounted to 3.6 million litres.

     The supplement waives the registration requirement on the Mainland, enhancing flexibility for doing business. Registered wine exporters may also use a newly developed web-based system for the submission of advance consignment information to facilitate clearance on arrival at designated Mainland ports.

     The enhanced facilitation measures will first take effect at designated ports in Shenzhen and Guangzhou from today.

     Both the Hong Kong Customs and TID have set up enquiry hotlines (telephone number: 3759 2505 and 3403 6426 respectively). Detailed information can be found from the website of Hong Kong Customs at www.customs.gov.hk/en/trade_facilitation/wine/index.html.

Ends/Thursday, September 18, 2014
Issued at HKT 15:12

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