24-hour hotline : 23 922 922
e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk
Ref. : RC 352
4 January 2024
Dear Sirs,
Rice Control Circular No. 1/2024
Apply and Receive Import/Export Licence for Rice through Trade Single Window
Introduction
Further to Rice Control Circular No. 3/2023 issued by Trade and Industry Department (TID) on 24 October 2023, this is to inform the trade that e-services for Import/Export Licence for Rice is now provided by the Trade Single Window (TSW). With immediate effect, traders can lodge applications for import/export licence and receive the application results through TSW.
Existing e-Form Submission Service will Cease Operation
2.As traders can now apply and receive rice import/export licences through TSW, the existing e-services provided by TID's e-Form Submission Service platform in respect of Import/Export Licence for Rice will cease operation after 5:45pm on 31 January 2024. Results of electronic applications submitted through TID's e-Form Submission Service platform before the above deadline will be sent to the applicants by email according to the existing arrangement.
3.As for paper submission, traders can continue to lodge applications for Import/Export Licence for Rice in paper form and collect the paper licence in person. In other words, both paper submission and submission via TSW for Rice Import/Export Licence applications will operate in parallel.
E-Services for Import/Export Licence for Rice under the TSW
4.Under normal circumstances, traders will be informed of the application results through TSW after one clear working day (Note) upon submission of the duly completed electronic application and all required supporting documents. For approved application, the electronic version of the Original and Duplicate copies of the approved import/export licence (in pdf format) will be available at the TSW for downloading by the importer/exporter. Traders are required to print the Original copy of the licence on A4 white plain paper, and pass the Original copy to the owner of the vessel, aircraft or vehicle (i.e. the carrier) in/on which the rice will be imported/exported as required by the law. The carrier shall deliver the printed Original copy of the electronic import/export licence concerned to TID together with the relevant manifest. The Duplicate copy is for trader's retention. Please refer to Annex 1 (pdf format) and Annex 2 (pdf format) for samples of the electronic import/export licence for rice issued through the TSW. The field of the importer's/exporter's signature and company chop on the electronic import/export licence with digital signature are left blank.
5.To avoid committing an offence for unlicensed importation/exportation, traders are reminded to lodge their licence applications with TID, whether via TSW or in paper form, at least one clear working day before the date on which the rice is to be imported/exported in order to allow time for processing by the Department.
Registration with the TSW
6.Traders who would like to use the services provided by TSW in respect of Import/Export Licence for Rice should register as TSW users now. For details on the registration procedures, please visit TSW website at <www.tradesinglewindow.hk> or contact TSW enquiry hotline at 2117 3348.
Digital Certificate or "iAM Smart+"
7.Company users will be required to provide their digital certificates and digital signatures for authentication when submitting applications for Import/Export Licence for Rice through the TSW. As such, a company user should apply for a digital certificate issued by a Certification Authority recognised by the Government. Alternatively, the company can also authorise a person who is a registered "iAM Smart+" user to submit licence applications on its behalf. For details, please refer to Annex 3 (pdf format).
Enquiries
8.If you require any clarification on the content of this circular, please contact the Rice Control Unit at 2398 5570.
Yours faithfully,
(Dr. NG Tsz-yan)
for Director-General of Trade and Industry
Note: An electronic licence application submitted on the 1st working day, if approved, will be available for download on the TSW no later than the 3rd working day.