Press Release

Hong Kong textiles licensing requirement to be relaxed
Friday, March 25, 2011

The Government published in the Gazette today (March 25) the Import and Export (General) (Amendment) Regulation 2011 to relax the Hong Kong textiles licensing requirement.

The Amendment Regulation removes the licensing requirement for textiles imports and exports involving "non-sensitive markets", and for all textiles transhipments. In the context of imports, "non-sensitive markets" refer to countries or places other than the Mainland of China, while for exports they refer to countries or places other than the Mainland of China and the United States. The Administration plans to bring the Amendment Regulation into effect on May 20, subject to the completion of the legislative process.

"The relaxation has taken into account the latest developments in the global textiles trading environment and local textiles trade. It will facilitate the trade in the import and export of textiles," a spokesperson for the Trade and Industry Department (TID) said.

The licensing requirement for textiles shipments involving "sensitive markets" will continue to safeguard the legitimate interests of Hong Kong's textiles trade. 

"Textiles traders are encouraged to plan ahead in the light of the upcoming relaxation of the textiles licensing requirement," the spokesperson said.

Implementation details of the revised textiles licensing requirements will be announced through a trade circular and TID's web portal later. Interested parties may visit the website at www.tid.gov.hk for details.

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