Hong Kong, Mainland sign goods clearance arrangement

Will promote the secure and seamless flow of goods.

Hong Kong’s Commissioner of Customs and Excise Clement Cheung, and Vice-Minister of the General Administration of China Customs (GACC) Sun Yibiao signed the arrangement in Beijing yesterday.

The arrangement mutually recognizes the GACC's Measures on Classified Management of Enterprises and the Customs and Excise Department's Hong Kong Authorized Economic Operator Program.

The arrangement promotes a secure and seamless flow of goods across the Mainland-Hong Kong boundary and will further strengthen the trade competitiveness of local companies.

Under the Mutual Recognition Arrangement, local companies accredited by the C&ED as Authorized Economic Operators can enjoy clearance facilitation such as reduced examination or prioritized clearance for their goods imported from or exported to the Mainland.

Similarly, Mainland companies that have been certified by GACC as "AA" class (equivalent to AEO) will have their exports of goods cleared expeditiously upon arrival in Hong Kong.