Hong Kong to implement trade fee cut

The city will halve its import and export declaration charges to cut the cost of doing business, the Commerce & Economic Development Bureau said.

The reductions, which are seen as an effort to stimulate business growth in the flagging economy, will apply to specific items in the Import & Export (Registration) Regulations. It will be implemented this August 1. The Legislative Council passed the Import & Export (Registration) (Amendment) Regulation 2012.

Anyone who imports, exports or re-exports any article other than an exempted article is required to lodge a declaration with the Commissioner of Customs & Excise within 14 days and pay the charges.

The new charges will not affect the arrangements for lodging declarations nor levy payment, however.

Queries can be directed to the Customs & Excise Department, Census & Statistics Department or the three Government Electronic Trading Services service providers: Brio Electronic Commerce, Global e-Trading Services and Tradelink Electronic Commerce.