Under the Free Trade Agreement between Hong Kong, China and Australia (the Agreement), Australia has agreed to eliminate all customs duties on Hong Kong-origin goods, subject to the relevant rules of origin being met and the relevant operational procedures being complied with.
This Guide aims to provide some quick reference for the major requirements under the Agreement for claim of preferential tariff treatment when exporting goods to Australia. The full text and other details of the Agreement are available on the Trade and Industry Department (TID)'s webpage (https://www.tid.gov.hk/en/our_work/trade_and_investment_agreements/ftas/australia/agreement.html). Traders are advised to read the relevant provisions of the Agreement and its Annexes, Circulars issued by TID as well as updated information posted on TID's website, in conjunction with this Guide.
1. What goods are qualified for preferential tariff treatment under the Agreement?
Generally speaking, all Hong Kong-origin goods could enjoy the tariff-free treatment when being exported to Australia if they meet all applicable requirements of Chapter 3 (Rules of Origin and Origin Procedures) of the Agreement. A good will qualify as originating if it meets any one of the following conditions:
A diagram which facilitates the determination of the applicable rule of origin for a particular product may be found below for reference:
2. How to identify the applicable PSR for a good produced with non-originating materials?
The PSRs are set out in Annex 3-B (Product-Specific Rules of Origin) of the Agreement in accordance with the Harmonized System (HS). Traders may identify the applicable PSR for a specific good in Annex 3-B (Product-Specific Rules of Origin) of the Agreement with its HS classification code. Explanations of the major PSRs under the Agreement are set out below:
Example A:
HS2017 | Subheading | Description | Product-Specific Rule of Origin |
---|---|---|---|
2103 | Sauces and preparations therefor; mixed condiments and mixed seasonings; mustard flour and meal and prepared mustard | ||
2103.10 | - Soya sauce | CC or RVC(40) |
Soya sauce (classified in HS Chapter 21) is manufactured in Hong Kong from non-originating dried soya beans (classified in HS Chapter 12). As the non-originating materials have undergone a change in tariff classification at a two-digit level, the CC rule can be met.
Example B:
HS2017 | Subheading | Description | Product-Specific Rule of Origin |
---|---|---|---|
7606 | Aluminium plates, sheets, and strip, of a thickness exceeding 0.2mm | ||
7606.11 | - Rectangular (including square): of aluminium, not alloyed | CTH | |
7606.12 | - Rectangular (including square): of aluminium alloys | CTH | |
7606.91 | - Other: of aluminium, not alloyed | CTH | |
7606.92 | - Other: of aluminium alloys | CTH |
Aluminium plates, sheets, and strip, of a thickness exceeding 0.2mm (HS heading 7606) is manufactured in Hong Kong from unwrought aluminium originating in Japan (HS heading 7601). As the non-originating material has undergone a change in tariff classification at a four-digit level, the CTH rule can be met.
3. How to calculate the regional valuation content (RVC) of a good?
RVC should be calculated in accordance with the following formula:
where:
4. What is meant by "Accumulation" under Article 3.8 of the Agreement?
In accordance with the Agreement, if an originating good of Australia is used in the production of a good in Hong Kong, it should be treated as an originating material in Hong Kong.
5. What is meant by "De Minimis" under Article 3.9 of the Agreement?
A good that contains non-originating material that does not satisfy the applicable change in tariff classification requirement (i.e. CC, CTH or CTSH as mentioned in Q2) required under the PSRs is nonetheless an originating good if:
Example: Apart from having a non-originating material of which the value is 8% of the Adjusted Value of the good, all other non-originating materials can comply with the CC rule (change in Chapter) as required under the PSRs. In accordance with the "De Minimis" rule, the good can still qualify as originating under the Agreement.
6. How to claim the preferential tariff treatment under the Agreement?
An importer in Australia may make a claim for preferential tariff treatment, based on a declaration of origin completed by the exporter, producer or the importer or an authorised representative of the exporter, producer or importer.
While the declaration of origin needs not follow a prescribed format, it should:
An illustrative example of the declaration of origin can be found at Annex for reference.
7. Do I need a declaration of origin for my goods if they are of a value of 250 Australian dollars?
In accordance with the Agreement, a declaration of origin is not required if the customs value of the importation does not exceed 1,000 Australian dollars or any higher amount as Australia may establish.
January 2020