Manufacturers wanting to enjoy zero tariffs under CEPA II's "Goods Proposed to be Produced" category need their goods verified by the Trade & Industry and Customs & Excise Departments.

Announcing the implementation details today, the Trade & Industry Department said after manufacturers start producing these goods, the two departments will conduct joint verifications and inform Mainland authorities.

After confirmation by both sides, the goods can enjoy zero tariff preference under CEPA upon presentation of the certificates of origin issued by the Hong Kong issuing authorities when imported into the Mainland.

Manufacturers are asked to complete the Notification on Commencement of Production of Goods Proposed to be Produced, and return it to the department after they have started production of any Goods Proposed to be Produced.

Upon receipt of the notification, the department will proceed with the verification and confirmation procedures, so these goods can enjoy zero tariff preference as soon as possible.

More goods covered

Under the further liberalisation measures of CEPA, the Mainland has agreed to apply zero tariffs to goods covered by 713 Mainland tariff codes, on top of those covered by 374 codes that have already been enjoying zero tariff status since January 1.

The 713 Mainland tariff codes cover both goods under current production in Hong Kong (529 Mainland tariff codes) and goods proposed to be produced in Hong Kong (184 Mainland tariff codes).

The goods under current production covered by the 529 Mainland tariff codes will enjoy zero tariff status from January 1.

For the remaining 184 items of goods proposed to be produced in Hong Kong, the Mainland will implement zero tariffs after confirmation by both sides that the goods have come into production.

The public can download the relevant trade circular and the notification form from the CEPA Trade in Goods page on the department's website.

For enquiries, contact the department's Mainland Branch (I) on 2398 5676 (fax 2398 9973, email ma_registry@tid.gov.hk), or its Certification Branch on 2398 5525 (fax 2398 9450, email cepaco@tid.gov.hk).