Commercial Information Circulars

Ref : CR EIC 230/20/1

22 April 1998

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 50/98

Graduation of Hong Kong from the European Union (EU)'s Generalised
System of Preferences (GSP) Scheme

This is to remind traders that Hong Kong will be graduated from the EU's GSP Scheme with effect from 1 May 1998.

2. Commercial Information Circular No. 2/98 of 2 January 1998 informed traders that the Council of the EU has adopted a regulation to graduate certain beneficiaries, including Hong Kong, from the EU's GSP Scheme with effect from 1 May 1998. There will be no transitional arrangement provided for the graduation. Goods of Hong Kong origin which are shipped before but cleared customs on or after 1 May 1998 will no longer be eligible for GSP tariff preferences and will be subject to the EU's most-favoured-nation rates. Traders are requested to refer to the attached Certificate of Preference Circular No. 6/98 dated 4 April 1998 for details on the administrative arrangements for Form A applications covering exports to the EU.

ENQUIRIES

3. For enquiries concerning the content of this circular, please contact the undersigned at telephone number 2398 5684.

Yours faithfully,

(Miss Helen YUNG)
for Director-General of Trade

Note : While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the above information, the Department cannot guarantee this to be so and will not be held liable for any reliance placed on the same.