G/LIC/N/2/HKG/26  
 
28 February 2024  
(24-1848) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Import Licensing  Original: English  
 
 
AGREEMENT ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES  
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 5.1 TO 5.4 OF THE AGREEMENT1 
HONG KONG, CHINA 
The following communication  dated 26 February  2024, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Hong Kong, China.  
 
 Category  Notification details  
1 Notifying Member  Hong Kong, China  
2 Title of new 
legislation/procedure  Replacing the current electronic application platform for import 
licence for rice with the Trade Single Window (TSW)  
3 Date of Publication  4 January 2024  
4 Date of entry into force  31 January 2024  
5 Website link/Official 
publication of the new 
regulation/procedure  https://www.tid.gov.hk/english/import_export/nontextiles/nt_rice/ri
ce012024.html   
6 Have you attached a copy of 
the regulation (PDF) to the 
Secretariat  [ ] Yes. ( Please attach a copy of the regulation to the notification. ) 
 
[X] No. 
7 Type of notification  [ ] (a) New licensing regulation/procedure2; (please answer 
question  8 to 14)  
 
[X] (b) Changes to a regulation/procedure which has been 
previously notified in document: G/LIC/N/2/HKG/20 , 
G/LIC/N/3/HKG/27 ; (please answer question 15 and 16)  
8 List of products subject to 
licensing  Please provide the HS codes and detailed descriptions of the 
products. In case of a long list, please attach the list as an Annex in 
MS WORD document.  
9 Nature of licensing  Automatic: [  ] 
 
Non-Automatic: [  ] 
10 Administrative 
purpose/measure being 
implemented  (a)  Protect public morals;  
(b)  Protect human, animal or plant life and health; 
protect  environment;  
(c)  Collect trade statistics or market surveillance;  
(d)  Protection of patents, trademarks and copyrights, and 
the prevention of deceptive practices;  
(e)  Pursue obligations under the UN Charter and other 
international treaties ( i.e. CITES, Basel Convention, 
Rotterdam Convention, UNSC Resolutions etc.)  
(f)  Quota (including TRQ) administration;  
 
1 It is understood that the notifying Member has also completed its notification obligations under 
Article  1.4(a) and Article 8.2(b) regarding the relevant law/regulation/procedure notified for by filling this form 
in a full and complete manner.  
2 "New licensing regulation/procedure" is understood to refer to any newly introduced law, regulation or 
procedure, and those which are in force but being notified for the first time to the Committee.  G/LIC/N/2/HKG/26  
 
- 2 - 
 
   Category  Notification details  
(g)  Regulate imports of arms, ammunition or fissionable 
materials and safeguard national security;  
(h)  Other: ______________ (please specify)  
11 Administrative body(ies) for  
submission of applications  Ministry/authority and Department: [ ]  
Address: [ ]  
Website: [ ]  
Telephone: [ ]  
E-Mail: [ ]  
12 Contact point for information 
on eligibility  Ministry/authority and Department: [ ]  
Address: [ ]  
Website: [ ]  
Telephone: [ ]  
E-Mail: [ ]  
13 Expected duration of 
licensing procedure   
 
14 A summary of the 
notification in one of the 
WTO official languages    
 
 
15 In the case of 7(b), please 
indicate the type of new 
change(s)  (a)  Termination  
(b)  Suspension  
(c)  Modification of specific details in existing  
procedures:  
 Product coverage;  
 Administrative purpose;  
 Automatic or Non -automatic;  
 Duration of licensing;  
 Change the nature of quantity/value restriction;  
 Eligibility of applicants;  
 Contact information on  eligibility;  
 Administrative body(ies) for submission of application;  
 Documentation requirements (including application form);  
 Period for Application;  
 Administrative body(ies) to issue licence;  
 Processing time for issuing licence;  
 Licence fee/administrative charge;  
 Deposit/advance payment and relevant conditions;  
 Appeal regulations/procedures;  
 Validity of licence;  
 Other conditions of licence (extension, transferability, 
penalty of non -use etc.);  
 Foreign exchange requirements;  
 Other:  Replacing the electronic application platform for 
import licence for rice with the TS W with effect 
from 31 January 2024.  
 
16 Please elaborate the changes 
in detail (in one of the WTO 
official languages)  With the introduction of e -services for import licence for rice via 
the TSW on 30 December 2023, e -services for import licence for 
rice provided through the Trade and Industry Department 's website 
ceased operation on 31 January 2024. On the other hand, 
application for and issuance of import licences for rice in paper form 
are not affected by the above changes.  
__________