Electronic submission of Certificate of Origin
September 22, 2000 (Friday)

The Trade and Industry Department (TID) announces today (September 22) that full migration to Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) service for Certificate of Origin (CO) will be implemented as from next Monday (September 25).

"This marks another milestone in EDI development. Following the Restrained Textiles Export Licence and Production Notification, CO is the third statutory document processed by the Department to go full EDI.

"EDI service brings much convenience and efficiency to traders. Our aim has always been to introduce full EDI service for CO as early as possible," said Mrs Jennie Chok, Assistant Director-General of Trade and Industry.

EDI service for CO covers 'Certificate of Hong Kong Origin' and 'Certificate of Origin - Processing' applications submitted to the TID and the five Government Approved Certification Organizations (GACOs), namely, the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, Federation of Hong Kong Industries, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and the Indian Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong.

"EDI service for CO was introduced on August 27, 1999. Since then, traders have had the choice of using the EDI service or continue with the submission of paper applications. With the full support and agreement of the five GACOs, we have decided to migrate to full EDI service for CO as from September 25, 2000," Mrs Chok added.

As from that date, TID and GACOs will no longer accept paper CO applications. Traders who are still not ready to use EDI may patronise any of the 15 Service Centres operated by Tradelink Electronic Commerce Limited (Tradelink). A Service Centre fee of $75 is chargeable (or $37.50 for applications submitted partially through EDI), but will be waived until October 31, 2000.

"This is to give more time to traders to adapt to the new environment and to facilitate a smooth transition to full EDI." Mrs Chok said.

Traders have been notified of the full migration date and the detailed arrangements through Notices to Exporters, Certificate of Origin Circulars and individual letters in advance.

CO is the third statutory document processed by TID to go on full EDI service, following the successful migration to EDI service of Production Notification on February 28, 2000 and Restrained Textiles Export Licence on January 1, 1999.