Dutiable Commodities (Amendment) Bill 2026 to be gazetted tomorrow
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To promote Hong Kong's development into a green maritime fuel bunkering centre, the Government adopts a two-stage approach to provide duty exemption for MA used as fuel in outbound vessels. The first stage was completed with the passage of the Dutiable Commodities (Amendment) Regulation 2025 by the Legislative Council in October 2025, bringing the duty exemption into operation on October 17, 2025. The second stage involves amending the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance to enhance the enforcement efficacy of duty-exempt MA.
The Bill aims to introduce into the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance specific offences against the mishandling of duty-exempt, non-denatured MA, including using, selling, supplying or permitting the use, sale or supply of such MA other than for the specified exempted purpose. It also makes it an offence to not deliver duty-exempt non-denatured MA together with a note with a specified statement to remind recipients of the sole purpose of such MA. In addition, to enhance the effectiveness of enforcing the control of duty-exempt non-denatured MA, the Bill provides for a presumption of fact, specifying the facts establishment of which would lead to the presumption that certain non-denatured MA is dutiable, unless contrary evidence is available.
A spokesperson for the Transport and Logistics Bureau said, "To support Hong Kong's development into a green maritime fuel bunkering centre, the Government introduced legislative amendments last year to exempt MA for use as fuel in outbound vessels from duty, facilitating the development of MA bunkering in Hong Kong.The first two MA bunkering operations took place at anchorage and the Kwai Tsing Container Terminals respectively on March 5 and March 10, 2026.
"In anticipation of the increase in volume of MA being bunkered in Hong Kong as its popularity as a green maritime fuel grows, we see the need for introducing the Bill to enhance the efficacy of enforcement against the mishandling of MA, upholding the integrity of the regime for controlling dutiable commodities, thereby fostering our development as a green maritime fuel bunkering centre."
The Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council on June 10.
Ends/Thursday, May 28, 2026
Issued at HKT 18:09
Issued at HKT 18:09
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