The Trade & Industry Department and the five Government-approved certification organisations will begin accepting applications for CEPA Certificates of HK Origin from December 30.

The organisations are the HK General Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of HK Industries, the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of HK, the Indian Chamber of Commerce and the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce.

Under CEPA, the Mainland agreed to eliminate tariffs on goods imported from Hong Kong in 273 Mainland 2001 tariff codes from January 1.

Goods claiming CEPA tariff preference must fulfil CEPA rules of origin and be supported by the certificates.

Under the new set of tariff codes, the 273 products have been regrouped and reclassified into 374 tariff lines. Traders should enter the relevant 2004 Mainland tariff codes in their certificate applications.

A table entitled 'CEPA Initial Phase of Tariff Preference - Mainland 2004 tariff codes, product description and origin criteria' sets out the applicable Mainland tariff codes.

Hard copies are available at the Customer Service Centre of the department's Certification Branch.

Applicants are also advised to read the "Note for Traders Lodging CO(CEPA) Applications via EDI" carefully before they apply.

Completed applications can be sent via Electronic Data Interchange to the department or any of the other five approved certification organisations from December 30. 

Detailed application procedures can be downloaded from the department's webpage.

For enquiries, contact the department on 3403 6432 or 2398 5525, or email cepaco@tid.gov.hk.