Transhipment Cargo Exemption Scheme Invitation for Registration/ 
Renewal of Registration

Interested and eligible parties are invited to lodge applications for registration or renewal of registration under the Transhipment Cargo Exemption Scheme (the Scheme) by 1 December 2008 if they wish to enjoy the exemption from licensing requirements for the transhipment cargo under the Scheme in 2009. 

Background

2. Shipping companies, airlines and freight forwarders registered under the Scheme are, subject to certain conditions, exempted from licensing requirements under the Import and Export Ordinance, Cap. 60, and the Reserved Commodities (Control of Imports, Exports and Reserve Stocks) Regulations, Cap. 296A, in respect of certain types of transhipment cargo. The definition of transhipment cargo and the types of transhipment cargo covered by the Scheme are set out in Annex A (pdf format). The application forms for new registration and renewal of registration are at Annexes B and C (pdf format) respectively. Please refer to Annexes I and II (pdf format) to the application forms for the conditions of exemption. Registrants are also reminded to report any change in registration particulars to the Department by completing the amendment form at Annex D (pdf format), together with the supporting documents indicated in the relevant sections of the amendment form.
   

Registration for 2009

3. Applications are now invited from shipping companies, airlines and freight forwarders who wish to obtain exemption under the Scheme in 2009. Certificates of Exemption issued to existing registrants under the Scheme will cease to be valid after 31 December 2008. To enjoy the exemption from licensing requirements for the transhipment cargo under the Scheme next year, they have to renew their registration and obtain a new Certificate of Exemption for 2009. 
   

4. New applicants are required to complete the application form at Annex B (pdf format) and existing registrants are required to complete the application form at Annex C (pdf format) for renewal of their registration. Completed application forms and relevant supporting documents (in case of any change in registration particulars reported at Annex D (pdf format)) should be delivered to the Manifest Checking Unit, Trade and Industry Department, Room 409, 4/F, Trade and Industry Department Tower, 700 Nathan Road, Kowloon, on or before 1 December 2008 (see paragraph 6 below). Successful applicants will be issued with a Certificate of Exemption which will be valid from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2009.
   

5. To be eligible for registration under the Scheme, freight forwarders must have been appointed as the agent of a local shipping company or airline for the purpose of handling transhipment cargo on behalf of that shipping company or airline. Applications by freight forwarders must therefore be supported by documentary evidence in the form of an agency agreement or letter of appointment issued by the local shipping company or airline as requested in the application forms. All applicants are also requested to note that applications must be supported by documents indicated in the relevant sections of the application forms.
   

Important Note

6. If existing registrants fail to renew their applications by the deadline stipulated in paragraph 4 above, they may not have their applications processed by 31 December 2008. After this date they will not be able to enjoy the exemption under the Scheme until their applications have been processed and they are granted valid Certificates of Exemption.
   

7. Companies found to have contravened conditions of registration in 2008, including non-delivery of monthly returns by freight forwarders to the Department, may not have their applications for registration in 2009 approved.
   

8. For those existing registrants who wish to terminate the registration, please complete and return to the Department the form at Annex E (pdf format).
   

Enquiries

9. If you require any further information, please contact the following officers :