Certificate of Origin Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

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

Ref: FRCP 1000/2/1

30 November 2012

Dear Sirs,

Certificate of Origin Circular No. 9/2012

Commercial Information Circular No. 1005/2012

Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA)

CEPA Rules of Origin for Goods Applying for Zero Tariff in the Second Half of 2012

Introduction

This circular sets out the rules of origin (ROOs) for goods applying for zero tariff under CEPA in the second half of 2012.

ROOs for Goods Applying for Zero Tariff in the Second Half of 2012

2.Since the implementation of CEPA, the Mainland and Hong Kong have reached agreement on the ROOs for 1,739 Mainland 2012 tariff codes. These products will be eligible for zero tariff preference under CEPA provided that their respective ROOs and relevant conditions are met. With effect from 1 January 2013, 7 Mainland tariff codes will be added to the list of goods eligible for tariff preference under CEPA. The relevant tariff codes and the corresponding ROOs are set out at the Annex (pdf format). A full list of the 1,746 tariff codes under CEPA and their respective ROOs can be downloaded from the following website: http://www.tid.gov.hk/english/cepa/tradegoods/files/mainland_2012.pdf.

3.For the CEPA ROO for "Prepared or preserved Atlantic salmon (whole or in pieces, but not minced)" product (Mainland HS code 1604 1110), the raw materials must be originated from countries or territories which have signed preferential trade agreements ^(Note) with the Mainland prior to 2012.

Application and Issue of Certificate of Origin – CEPA ["CO(CEPA)"]

4.Traders may wish to note that the implementation date under CEPA for the products classified under the 7 Mainland 2012 tariff codes mentioned in paragraph 2 above is 1 January 2013. Traders can submit the CO(CEPA) applications to the Trade and Industry Department or one of the five Government Approved Certification Organizations (GACOs)¹ to cover the products under the 7 Mainland tariff codes by around end December 2012. Such CO(CEPA) applications, if approved, will be valid for claiming zero tariff preference starting from 1 January 2013. Besides, traders may wish to note that adjustments in the Mainland tariff codes for 2013 will result in corresponding changes in the tariff codes set out in the full list referred in paragraph 2 above. Traders should quote the tariff codes stipulated in the applicable "Customs Tariff of Import and Export of the People's Republic of China" when submitting applications for CO(CEPA). Detailed procedures for submitting CO(CEPA) applications will be announced in a separate circular to be issued in end December 2012 when such information is available.

Enquiries

5.Should you require further information on the content of this circular, please contact us through any of the following channels -

Yours faithfully,

Miss Janice LAU)

for Director-General of Trade and Industry

1.  The five 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.

(Note): The preferential trade agreements signed by the Mainland prior to 2012 include: Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement, Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, Mainland and Macao Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, Framework Agreement on China-ASEAN Comprehensive Economic Cooperation, China-Chile Free Trade Agreement, China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement, China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, China-Peru Free Trade Agreement, China-Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement and Cross-Straits Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement. The above information is for reference only and information announced by the Mainland shall prevail. Traders may visit the following website for latest information: http://fta.mofcom.gov.cn/english/index.shtml.