Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk

Ref : EIC 631/5/1/3

17 March 2008

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 175/2008

Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA)
Prohibited Imports of the Mainland

According to the CEPA provisions, the Mainland has fully implemented zero tariff on imported goods of Hong Kong origin from 1 January 2006, upon applications by local manufacturers and upon the CEPA rules of origin (ROOs) being agreed and met. Relevant goods do not include goods prohibited by the Mainland's rules and regulations and those prohibited as a result of the implementation of international treaties by the Mainland. According to the "Catalogue of Prohibited Solid Waste Import" promulgated by the Mainland recently, imports of other slag and ash (including seaweed ash, kelp ash) classified under Mainland tariff code 2621 9000 into the Mainland are prohibited with effect from 1 March 2008.

2. For the latest details about the "Catalogue of Prohibited Solid Waste Import", please refer to CIC No. 145/2008 dated 28 February 2008. While this Catalogue superseded the Third to the Fifth Batches of the "Catalogue of Prohibited Imports" listed in CIC No. 563/2005 dated 30 December 2005, the other batches of the "Catalogue of Prohibited Imports" listed in the aforesaid CIC remain valid. Besides, CIC No. 88/2006 dated 11 March 2006, CIC No. 102/2006 dated 15 March 2006 and CIC No. 378/2006 dated 25 September 2006 issued by the Department also contain information about other prohibited imports of the Mainland. For more details or updates on the subject matter, you are advised to consult the Mainland's local Customs offices and other relevant Mainland authorities.

Enquiries

3. For enquiries on the content of this circular, please contact Ms Eugenia CHAN at 2398 5444.

Yours faithfully,

(Miss Annie LOONG)

for Director-General of Trade and Industry