1.         (a)       Title / number / date of the law or regulation establishing / changing the import licensing procedure: 

The Dutiable Commodities (Amendment) Regulation 2014 amended the Dutiable Commodities Regulations to make provisions regarding the use of an information system (i.e. the Dutiable Commodities System (DCS)) in connection with applications for licences under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance.  From 27 July 2017 onwards, it is mandatory for traders to submit electronic dutiable commodities licence applications through the DCS.

 (b)     If the notified measure refers to a change in an already notified import licensing procedure, please indicate the document symbol of the notification to which change(s) has(ve) been introduced. (In this case please also indicate in Section 3, below, the nature of the changes (i.e. inclusion or exclusion of some goods and a list thereof; contact point for information and/or administrative body(ies) for submission of applications, etc.)):

             G/LIC/N/1/HKG/1, G/LIC/N/3/HKG/20

2.         Information concerning the institution / change of import licensing procedure:

(a)       List of products subject to the licensing procedure (Exact name of the products and/or whenever possible HS code and indication of the exact HS Nomenclature (i.e.  1996; 2002 or 2007).  Abbreviations should be avoided.  In the case of a long list of products, please attach the list as an Annex in Microsoft Word or compatible software.  Please do not use PDF, or photocopies.)

A trader in Hong Kong, China requires a licence to handle dutiable commodities (DC), including alcoholic liquors (with an alcoholic strength above 30% by volume measured at the temperature of 20^oC), tobacco, hydrocarbon oil and methyl alcohol.  Notable licence types include Import and Export Licence, Manufacturer’s Licence and Bonded Warehouse Licence, and all the said licences must be renewed annually.  Upon granted a relevant licence, a trader can then apply a DC permit each time to cover any movement of DC such as importation, exportation, transfer between bonded warehouses before duty payment, etc.  Before 27 January 2017, an application for a licence, and any information submitted in connection with the application, shall be in paper form.  From 27 July 2017 onwards, all licence applications shall be submitted electronically to the Hong Kong Customs through the DCS.

 (b)     Contact point for information on eligibility

Licence and Permit Division, Office of Dutiable Commodities Administration, Customs and Excise Department

Address:  3/F, Customs Headquarters Building, 222 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong

(c)       Administrative body(ies) for submission of applications (If more than one please include the same information for each body.)

Please see Item 2(b)

 (d)     Date and name of publication where licensing procedures are published

Date of publication:  It was announced through Hong Kong Government Gazette on 25 November 2016. Traders can access the DCS through website at https://www.dcs.customs.gov.hk to submit licence applications.

Source of publication (Official Gazette /journal/ website): 

http://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/20141812/es22014181231.pdf

http://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/20162047/es220162047175.pdf

http://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/20162047/egn201620476672.pdf

 (e)     Indication of whether the licensing procedure is

[ X ]    automatic.  If so please indicate:  (f) the administrative purpose:  Under the e-licensing regime, traders can submit licence applications by electronic means, saving their time and manpower resources spent in the paper application process.  Traders can now receive automatic reminders of licence renewal and electronic notification of payment of licence fees, thus facilitating their timely completion of formalities as required.  The e-licensing system also allows effective data retrieval and system interface with other information databases of the Hong Kong Customs, thereby enhancing our efficiency in processing licence applications, handling enquiries about licence matters as well as carrying out duties regarding revenue control.  Implementation of the e-licensing system also saves paper and space required for document storage.

[  ]       non-automatic.  If so please indicate:  (g) the measure being implemented through the import licensing procedure:  

(h)       Expected duration of the licensing procedure if this can be estimated with some probability, and if not, reason why this information cannot be provided

The electronic submission of DC licence applications is a long term arrangement.

3.         Other relevant data or information: (i.e. complete title and data concerning the legislation, inclusion or exclusion of certain products from the import licensing regime and list thereof; changes related to the administrative body(ies) for submission of applications, etc.)

            Not applicable