|
Ref. : GL 201
1 September 2011
| To : |
All shipping companies, airlines and |
|
freight forwarders registered under |
|
the Transhipment Cargo Exemption Scheme |
Dear Sirs,
Transhipment Cargo Exemption Scheme :
Invitation for New Registration / Renewal of Registration
Interested and eligible parties are invited to lodge applications for new registration or renewal of registration under the Transhipment Cargo Exemption Scheme (the Scheme) by 1 December 2011 if they wish to enjoy the exemption from licensing requirements for the transhipment cargo under the Scheme in 2012.
Background
-
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, Laws of Hong Kong) 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), and the conditions of exemption are set out in Appendices I and II (pdf format).
-
The Certificates of Exemption previously issued by this Department to the existing registrants under the Scheme will cease to be valid after 31 December 2011. Existing registrants who wish to continue to enjoy the exemption from licensing requirements for the transhipment cargo under the Scheme in 2012 are required to renew their registration with this Department.
Registration for 2012
-
New applicants are required to complete the application form for new registration at Annex B (pdf format), whilst existing registrants are required to complete the application form for renewal of registration at Annex C (pdf format) and the application form for amendment of registration particulars at Annex D (pdf format)(if applicable). Applicants are encouraged to return the completed application form(s) and the supporting document(s) as indicated therein (if applicable) in person or by mail to the Manifest Checking Unit of this Department on or before 1 December 2011 (see also paragraph 7 below).
| Address: |
Room 504A, 5/F, Trade and Industry Department Tower,
700 Nathan Road, Kowloon |
| Opening hours: |
Mondays to Fridays (except public holidays),
8:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. |
-
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. Freight forwarders who wish to apply for registration under the Scheme are, therefore, reminded to submit documentary evidence in the form of an agency agreement or letter of appointment issued by the local shipping company or airline when lodging the application.
-
Successful applicants will be issued with a Certificate of Exemption which will be valid from 1 January 2012 or the date of issue (whichever is the later) to 31 December 2012. Relevant registrants will be required to lodge monthly return on transhipment cargoes handled in the preceding calendar month on or before the 15th of each month in 2012 by completing Appendix III (pdf format) (applicable to freight forwarders handling transhipment cargo other than rough diamonds only) and/or Appendix IV (pdf format) (applicable to all registrants handling transhipment of rough diamonds). Nil return should be provided by completing Appendix V (pdf format).
Important Notes and Warning
-
If existing registrants fail to submit applications for renewal of registration by 1 December 2011, their applications may not be approved by 31 December 2011. In that case, they will not be able to enjoy the exemption under the Scheme in 2012 until their applications have been approved and they are issued with valid Certificates of Exemption by this Department.
-
Companies found to have contravened the conditions of registration in 2011, including non-delivery of monthly returns by freight forwarders to the Department, may not have their applications for registration in 2012 approved.
-
Existing registrants who do not wish to remain registered under the Scheme are required to return the completed notification form at Annex E (pdf format) to this Department.
-
Applicants are reminded that it is an offence for any person granted an exemption under the Scheme to contravene or fail to comply with any conditions of exemption. Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with any such condition is liable to prosecution and/or may have his exemption under the Scheme revoked or suspended.
Enquiries
-
For enquiries concerning the Scheme, please contact the following officers:
|
Name of Officer |
Telephone No. |
|
Mrs Y M TAM |
2398 5565 |
|
Ms W Y WONG |
2398 5656 |
Yours faithfully,
(Miss Crystal YAN)
for Director-General of Trade and Industry |