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Trade and Industry Department The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Brand Hong Kong - Asia world city
MY COLOUR

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

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

Ref: TID CL 10-3/2 (C)

30 September 2014

Dear Sirs,

Notice to Exporters:
Series 1 (USA) No. 5/2014
Series 2 (EU) No. 5/2014
Series 3 (Countries other than USA and EU) No. 5/2014
Certificate of Origin Circular No. 7/2014
Import Licensing (Textiles) Circular No. 4/2014
Textiles Trader Registration Circular No. 5/2014

Relaxation of the Hong Kong Textiles Control Arrangements
Post-Liberalization Textiles Trader Registration Scheme (TTRS)

Introduction

As foreshadowed in Textiles Trader Registration Circular No. 3/2014 cum Notice to Exporters (Series 1, 2 and 3) No. 3/2014 dated 13 June 2014, the Government is seeking to fully liberalize the textiles control arrangements effective from 21 November 2014, subject to completion of the legislative process.  The Department will make further announcement to confirm the commencement date of liberalization.  While all import/export licensing requirements for textiles shipments will be abolished, the voluntary registration service under Textiles Trader Registration Scheme (TTRS) will be maintained.  This circular sets out the arrangements for registration under TTRS after liberalization.

Details

2.The Department will continue to provide TTRS registration service for textiles traders wishing to join the Scheme voluntarily.  Traders who are/are not holding TTRS registrations are welcome and encouraged to register/keep their TTRS registrations in case Hong Kong might need to reinstate textiles control should circumstances require some time in the future. Registered traders will be instantly advised of the latest information/changes to the textiles control arrangements by the Department.  In the event of resumption of the licensing requirement for textiles export/import, registered traders can instantaneously make use of the textiles notifications under the Scheme and avoid the hassles to apply for individual textiles licence each and every time.

(a) Criteria and Conditions for TTRS

3. The criteria for registration under TTRS after liberalization will remain unchanged.  Companies/businesses are eligible to apply for registration if they:
  1. possess valid Business Registration in Hong Kong; and
  2. are carrying on business in the manner as set out in Schedule 4 to the Import and Export (General) Regulations (Chapter 60, subsidiary legislation A), i.e., importing textiles from the Mainland or exporting textiles to the Mainland or the United States of America.

The procedures for application/renewal of TTRS and the conditions thereof are set out at Annex (pdf format).

(b) Annual Registration Fee

4. The annual registration fee for TTRS will be adjusted to HK$61 upon liberalization.  The revised fee level will apply to new and renewed TTRS registrations with validity period commencing on or after 21 November 2014 (Note). 

5. Traders lodging fresh applications for TTRS registration before 21 November 2014 (Note) should pay the existing annual registration fee (i.e. HK$349).  Any application sent in by mail will be deemed to have been lodged on the date the application is received by the Department, instead of the date shown on the postal chop.

6. For renewal applications, registered traders with TTRS registrations expiring before 21 November 2014 (Note) should pay the existing fee of $349 if they wish to make use of textiles notifications in lieu of licences to cover their shipments before liberalization.  Registrations expiring on or after 21 November 2014 (Note) are subject to the revised fee of $61 on renewal.  

7. Traders with their TTRS registrations to be expired shortly before 21 November 2014 (Note) may wish to consider whether they prefer to apply for renewal of their registrations before or after liberalization.  It is important to note that for so long as the textiles licensing requirement remains in force, textiles traders not holding valid TTRS registrations should apply for consignment-specific Import Licences (Textiles) Form 7 and Export Licences (Textiles) Form 4 as appropriate to cover individual shipments of their textiles imports from the Mainland and exports to the Mainland or the United States of America respectively.  In any event, please note that any request for a full or partial refund of TTRS annual registration fee paid for whatever reason will not be accepted.

(c) Streamlined Renewal Procedures

8. Renewal of TTRS registrations after liberalization will be simplified.  The Department will notify the registered traders by email or by post about two months ahead of expiry of their TTRS registrations.  A trader wishing to renew his registration may simply sign the reply slip enclosed, and return it to the Department by post or in person, along with the evidence of payment of the TTRS registration fee and other supporting documents as appropriate.

(d) New Payment Channels for Renewal Applications

9.   To further facilitate the trade, the Department will introduce more payment channels by using the General Demand Notes (GDN) for payment of TTRS annual registration fee for renewal applications with validity period commencing after liberalization.  The GDN accepts payment through ATM, PPS, the Internet, or off-site payment by cash at post offices or at convenience stores, etc.  The GDN will be sent to the registrants together with a letter setting out the renewal procedures about two months before expiry of the TTRS registration, unless the registrants have opted to receive email notification 1.   Traders should keep and present the evidence of payment (e.g., receipt of payment at Post Office / convenience store / ATM machine; or computer printout for payment through Internet including on-line PPS, etc.) to support their renewal applications.  For details of the GDN, please refer to the Treasury's website at http://www.try.gov.hk/internet/ehcoll_gendenenquiry.html.

10. Traders may also continue to make payment at HSBC or at the Department's Collection and Form Sales Office.  In this regard, the green copy (or photocopy) of the machine-printed pay-in slip by HSBC, or Part B of the demand note with a franking by the Department's Collection and Form Sales Office may serve as the evidence of payment.

(e) Certificate of Registration as a Textiles Trader

11.  Applications for TTRS registration are normally processed within three clear working days by the Department.  As from 21 November 2014 (Note), applicants can check online at the Department's Web Portal whether their applications have been approved. They can logon the online enquiry services at http://www.tid.gov.hk/portal/eindex.html three clear working days after payment of registration fee and submission of the applications to view and/or download the Certificate of Registration as a Textiles Trader.  Please note that no physical certificates will be sent to the applicants by post.  New users can first activate their User Login Account (ULA) at the above website.

Warning

12.The Customs and Excise Department will carry out visits to premises of registered textiles traders from time to time to ensure that the conditions of TTRS are fully complied with, and information provided on TTRS applications are true and correct. Traders who furnish false or misleading information and/or fail to comply with the conditions of TTRS commit an offence under the law and are liable to a fine and imprisonment sentence upon conviction. The Director-General of Trade and Industry may take administrative actions (e.g. revocation and suspension of the TTRS registration, refusal to renew the TTRS registration, etc.) against the traders concerned, independent and irrespective of any prosecution actions.

Enquiries

13.For enquiries on this circular, please contact the Textiles Trader Registration Office at 2398 5512. 

Yours faithfully,




(Miss Kathy CHAN)

for Director-General of Trade and Industry

Note:The Department will issue another notice to confirm the exact date of implementation upon completion of the legislative process which gives effect to liberalization.
1. E-General Demand Notes (E-GDN) is available upon request.  If required, traders may complete and return the registration form for e-GDN attached to the email notification.