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| No.2 February, 2010 |
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HK-Mainland wine pact sealed |
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 A new agreement will streamline procedures for wine imports into China, one of the world's fastest emerging wine markets, from Hong Kong.
The agreement between customs authorities on both sides of the border will kick off as a pilot project in Shenzhen during the second quarter of 2010.
If successful it could be extended to other major Chinese cities from Hong Kong, which is rapidly becoming the region’s leading wine distribution hub.
The pilot measures include:
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Wine duty pre-valuation - registered wine traders can ask Mainland customs for a valuation of wine duty 10 working days before a shipment leaves Hong Kong. This will allow clearance procedures to be completed within one day of arrival. |
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Expedited clearance processes - registered wine traders who choose not to use pre-valuations, Chinese cusomts authorities will shorten clearance times at entry ports. Brands that have been previously imported will be cleared within three working days. For wines new to the Mainland market, clearance will be given within seven working days. |
Hong Kong companies who have operated for a minimum of six months and are engaged in wine-related businesses such as trading, storage and logistics, can register for the new scheme.
The Trade & Industry Department will handle registration for local traders while Chinese customs will deal with Mainland traders. Participation in the registration scheme is voluntary and the list of registered traders will be published online.
Hotlines will be set up to answer enquiries and registered Hong Kong traders will be able to directly contact Mainland customs if wine shipments encounter clearance problems.
At the signing ceremony on February 9, Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Rita Lau said the agreement will fortify Hong Kong’s position as a regional wine trading and distribution hub.
"The measures to be put in place will help enhance transparency and certainty in doing business, thus facilitating Hong Kong's wine traders who wish to expand their operations on the Mainland," Mrs Lau said.
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