24-hour hotline : 23 922 922
e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk
Ref. : RC 352
30 June 2022
Dear Sirs,
Rice Control Circular No. 2/2022
Full Implementation of E-Services for
Import/Export Licence for Rice
Introduction
The Trade and Industry Department (TID) is delighted to announce the full implementation of e-services, viz e-submission and e-issuance services, for import/export licence for rice today.
Details
2.The above e-services aim to provide facilitation to the trade. Traders can now lodge applications for import/export licence for rice electronically via the TID's website and receive the e-application results by email. If an e-application submitted to TID on or after 30 June 2022 is approved, TID will issue the approved import/export licence in electronic format to the trader by email. Details are set out in paragraphs 3 - 7 below.
3.To enjoy the convenience of the e-services, traders need to subscribe a digital certificate issued by a Certification Authority which is recognised by the Government. The relevant digital certificate must be applied for authentication and digital signing for the e-application forms submitted to TID. For details, please refer to Annex I (pdf format).
4.To make an electronic submission of import/export licence applications, trader can download the e-application form for Import Licence Form 3 (TRA 187)/Export Licence Form 6 (TRA 394) from the e-Form Submission Service of TID <https://www.tid.gov.hk/english/aboutus/form/publicform/nontextiles/form_nontextiles.html> and submit the duly completed e-application form with a digital signature inserted, as well as the required supporting documents (if any) via the same service platform. Once the application is submitted successfully, an email notification with a reference number will be sent to the trader to acknowledge receipt of the application.
5.Under normal circumstances, TID will inform trader of the result of his e-application by e-mail after one clear working day (Note) upon receipt of the duly completed e-application form with all the required supporting documents. For approved e-application, TID will issue the Original and Duplicate copies of the approved import/export licence in electronic format (pdf format) to the trader by email. Trader has to print the original copy of the licence on A-4 white plain paper. The Duplicate copy is for trader's retention. Trader is reminded to pass the Original copy to the owner of the vessel, aircraft or vehicle in or on which he intends to import or export the rice (the carrier) as required by the law. The carrier shall deliver the printed Original copy of the e-import/export licence concerned to our Department together with the relevant manifest. Please refer to Annex II (pdf format) and Annex III (pdf format) for the samples of the import/export licence for rice in electronic format. For traders' information, the field of the importer's/exporter's signature and company chop on the e-import/export licence with digital signing is left blank.
6.Notwithstanding the introduction of the above e-services, traders can still choose to lodge the application in paper form and obtain the application results at TID in person as at present.
7.Traders are reminded to lodge their licence applications, irrespective of whether they are submitted in paper mode or electronically, at least one clear working day before the rice import/export, to allow time for processing by the Department.
Benefits of Using E-Services
8.With the launching of the above e-services, traders can lodge e-application for import/export licence for rice round-the-clock. They no longer have to visit TID for lodging the applications and obtaining the application results, thereby saving their travelling time and cost. Besides, traders will no longer need to purchase the Import Licence Form 3 (TRA 187)/Export Licence Form 6 (TRA 394) from TID as they will only be applicable to those traders submitting applications in paper form. Hence, traders are cordially invited to experience the convenience brought about by the e-services.
Enquiries
9.If you have any enquiry on the content of this circular, please contact the Rice Control Unit at 2398 5570.
Yours faithfully,
(Ms. Tiffany YONG)
for Director-General of Trade and Industry
Note: For an electronic licence application submitted to TID on the 1st working day, the approved licence will be issued to the trader no later than the 3rd working day by email.