HK Signs Customs Pacts

Hong Kong has signed Mutual Recognition Arrangements on Authorized Economic Operator with Israel and Canada, the Customs & Excise Department announced today.

Commissioner of Customs & Excise Hermes Tang, who was attending the 133rd/134th Council Sessions of the World Customs Organization in Brussels, Belgium, signed the pacts.

Under the arrangements, companies accredited as authorised economic operators in Hong Kong will enjoy customs clearance facilitation in Israel and Canada.

Reciprocally, companies accredited under similar programmes in those two countries will enjoy customs clearance facilitation in Hong Kong.

Such facilitation includes reduced examination and prioritised clearance.

The signing of the two arrangements brings the number of such pacts signed by Hong Kong to 11.

The department said the signing of the arrangements fully demonstrates the three customs administrations’ efforts in upholding international cargo security while facilitating cross-boundary cargo movement.

Under the newly signed agreements, accredited Hong Kong traders will be standing in a stronger position to explore relevant markets by leveraging on the edge granted by their authorised economic operator status, it said.

The department encouraged local companies to apply for accreditation as authorised economic operators and enjoy advantages in customs clearance facilitation.

It will also launch mutual recognition arrangement discussions with its Indonesian counterparts, according to an Action Plan signed by Assistant Commissioner of Customs & Excise (Excise & Strategic Support) Jimmy Tam.