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e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk
Ref: FRCP 1000/2/1
16 May 2022
Dear Sirs,
Certificate of Origin Circular No. 3/2022
Commercial Information Circular No. 380/2022
The Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA)
Agreement on Trade in Goods
Product Specific Rules of Origin (PSR)
Introduction
This circular informs traders of the updated version of the "Product Specific Rules of Origin" (PSR) under CEPA, which is based on the 2022 Edition of the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS 2022).
Details
2.Under the CEPA Agreement on Trade in Goods (the Agreement), all goods of Hong Kong origin can enjoy zero tariff preference when importing into the Mainland1, upon the CEPA Rules of Origin (ROO) being met. Consignments claiming CEPA zero tariff preference must be supported by certificates of Hong Kong origin - CEPA ("CO(CEPA)s") issued by the Trade and Industry Department (TID) or Government Approved Certification Organizations (GACOs)2.
3.According to the Agreement, CO(CEPA) shall be issued before or at the time of shipment. Traders can apply a CO(CEPA) before shipment, in order to enjoy zero tariff treatment under CEPA upon importation into the Mainland.
4.In view of the implementation of HS 2022, the PSR under CEPA have been updated in accordance to the corresponding amendments to commodity classification and HS codes, and are available on TID's webpage <https://www.tid.gov.hk/english/cepa/tradegoods/rules_origin.html>. The product description and HS codes in the updated version of the PSR list are presented on the basis of the HS 2022.
5.In submitting CO(CEPA) applications, traders need to use the Mainland HS codes applicable to the concerned goods. With effect from 16 May 2022, traders should refer to the updated PSR to determine whether or not the goods fall within the scope of the PSR and meet the corresponding ROO.
6.CO(CEPA)s issued in 2021 should be with the Mainland 2021 HS codes quoted therein. The Mainland Customs has agreed that Mainland importers holding valid CO(CEPA)s issued in 2021 can claim CEPA zero tariff preference for the covered goods in 2022.
7.In case the CO(CEPA) concerned was issued in 2021 and has to be amended before being used to claim zero tariff preference in 2022, applicants can continue to quote the Mainland 2021 HS codes as the amendment will not alter the issue date of the CO(CEPA) concerned.
Processing and Approval of CO(CEPA) Applications
8.Target turnaround time for processing CO(CEPA) application submitted to TID is 1.5 clear working days (excluding day of receipt). If the CO(CEPA) application is selected for pre-issue inspection, the processing time would be longer. In view that CO(CEPA) shall be issued before or at the time of shipment, traders are advised to take note of this and allow adequate time for application when drawing up their shipment schedules.
9.After the issuing organizations approve the CO(CEPA)s, relevant information of the approved CO(CEPA)s will be transmitted to the Mainland General Administration of Customs electronically to facilitate customs clearance and tariff processing of the consignments in the Mainland.
10.For ROO under the Agreement as well as other application procedures and conditions for issuing CO(CEPA), please refer to the Certificate of Origin Circular No. 4/2018 and 5/2018, as well as visit the webpage of TID at <https://www.tid.gov.hk/english/import_export/cert/cert_cepa.html>.
11.In the event that traders encounter problems in customs clearance of goods covered by a CO(CEPA), they may seek assistance from the Factory Registration and Origin Certification Branch of TID (tel. no.: 3403 6432 or email address: cepaco@tid.gov.hk). However, TID will not accept any liability in cases where the Mainland authorities do not accept the claim for CEPA zero tariff preference.
Enquiries
12.For enquires on the content of this circular, please contact us through the following channels -
| Address: | Factory Registration and Origin Certification Branch 14/F, Trade and Industry Tower 3 Concorde Road, Kowloon City Hong Kong |
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| Telephone No.: | 3403 6432 | |
| Fax No.: | 2787 6048 | |
| E-mail Address: | cepaco@tid.gov.hk | |
Yours faithfully,
(Miss Vicki PANG)
for Director-General of Trade and Industry
1 Imported goods do not include those prohibited by the Mainland's rules and regulations and those prohibited as a result of the implementation of international treaties by the Mainland, as well as products that the Mainland has made special commitments in relevant international agreements.
2 The GACOs are the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce; the Federation of Hong Kong Industries; the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong; the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and the Indian Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong.