24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

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

Ref. : TRA CR 1316/2

 8 March 2006

Dear Sirs,

Notice to Exporters : Series 2 (EU) No. 5/2006

Certificate of Origin Circular No. 4/2006

Modified Requirement for the Lodgment of
Production Notifications Covering Shirts/Blouses Destined for the EU Market

This circular announces a modified requirement for the lodgement of production notifications (PN) under which certain manufacturing processes on shirts and blouses intended for export to the European Union (EU) market must be carried out in Hong Kong. A special declaration must be made to this effect in the lodgement of the PN concerned.

The Modified Requirement

2. Traders have been informed of the extension of the PN and Textiles Trader Registration Scheme requirements to the EU market with effect from 15 March 2006. Under this arrangement, all cut-and-sewn garments which are intended for export to the EU and with the origin-conferring assembly work commencing in Hong Kong on or after 15 March 2006 will be subject to the PN requirement. Manufacturers concerned are required to lodge a PN with the Department on the day of, or within three working days before, the commencement of the origin-conferring assembly work. In this connection, the Department will start accepting PNs for cut-and-sewn garments for exports to the EU from 11 March 2006 and will validate such PNs from 15 March 2006 onwards.

3. Pursuant to the modified Certificate of Hong Kong Origin (CO) and Outward Processing Arrangement (OPA) requirements for exports of shirts and blouses to the EU as announced vide Commercial Information Circular No. 84/2006, Notice to Exporters: Series 2 (EU) No. 4/2006 cum Certificate of Origin Circular No. 3/2006, the Department will implement a modified requirement for the lodgement of PNs for exports to the EU. Manufacturers and subcontractors lodging PNs on or after 16 April 2006 covering shirts and blouses intended for exports to the EU must ensure that the following manufacturing processes are carried out in Hong Kong:

1. the attachment of collar to the garment body, or to any parts/panels of a shirt or blouse; and

2. the attachment of cuffs to the garment body, or to any parts/panels of a shirt or blouse.

4. The manufacturer concerned is required to make a declaration in the "Special Declaration/Statement" box of the PN as below:

" I have read and understood, and agree to abide by the requirement for the lodgement of production notifications covering shirts and blouses destined for the EU as set out in Certificate of Origin Circular No. 4/2006 dated 8 March 2006."

Where subcontracting of manufacturing processes has been arranged in regard to the PN, either the manufacturer or subcontractor could make the requisite declaration above which shall be binding on both the manufacturer and subcontractor concerned as the parties jointly lodging the subject PN.

5. PNs lodged on or after 16 April 2006 which cover shirts or blouses intended for exports to the EU without the requisite declaration in paragraph 4 above will not be validated.

6. Traders should bear in mind that the manufacturing processes in regard to shirts and blouses specified in paragraphs 3(a) and (b) above will no longer be allowed to be carried out outside Hong Kong with effect from 16 April 2006. Traders who wish to lodge PNs on or after 16 April 2006 to cover shirts and blouses intended for exports to the EU must comply with the requirements in paragraphs 3 and 4 above and plan their production accordingly. Traders should seek clarification from the Department before commencement of the manufacturing processes if they have any questions.

Enquiries

7. Should you require further information on this subject, please contact the following offices of the Department:

Yours faithfully,



(Miss May Lok)
for Director-General of Trade and Industry

Note : The Chinese text of this Notice is for reference only. In case of discrepancies between the English and Chinese texts, the English text shall for all purposes be conclusive.