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The Government published in the Gazette today (April 4) the Import and Export (Amendment) Bill 2007 seeking to enable the Chief Executive in Council to make regulations that provide for the electronic lodging of advance cargo information.
A Commerce, Industry and Technology Bureau spokesman said that with the electronic system, all cross-boundary trucks, except those selected for inspection, would enjoy seamless customs clearance at the land boundary control points. "The Customs and Excise Department will also have more room to facilitate the passage of transshipment cargoes which involve inter-modal transfer," the spokesman said.
At present, Hong Kong has the necessary electronic infrastructure for customs clearance of cargoes carried by different modes of transport, except by road. The Financial Secretary announced in the 2007-08 Budget the construction of an electronic advance cargo information (e-ACI) system for road transport.
International and regional initiatives which ride on e-ACI are emerging among Hong Kong's major trading partners to facilitate and secure the international supply chain of cargoes. China also sets out its vision that APEC should strive to achieve electronic customs clearance at the checkpoints of all APEC economies by 2010.
"We need to complete our electronic customs clearance infrastructure in a timely manner so as to maintain Hong Kong's competitiveness as an international trading centre," the spokesman said.
In developing the electronic system, the Government has consulted industry stakeholders involved in the handling of cross-boundary road cargoes. Most of the stakeholders consulted welcome the electronic system and acknowledge the need for legislation.
The Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council on April 18.
"Subject to the Legislative Council's approval of the legislative and funding proposals, the Government plans to roll out the electronic system in 2009 and mandate e-ACI submissions for road cargoes after an 18-month transitional period," the spokesman said.
Ends/Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Issued at HKT 15:01
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