G/LIC/N/2/HKG/8  
 
26 September 2017  
(17-5105) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Import Licensing  Original: English  
 
 
 AGREEMENT ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES  
NOTIFICATION UNDER A RTICLE 5.1 -5.4 OF THE AGREEMENT1 
HONG KONG, CHINA 
The following communication, dated 25 September 2017, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Hong Kong, China.  
1. (a) Title / number / date of the law or regulation establishing / changing the 
import licensing procedure:   
The Dutiable Commodities (Amendment) Regulation 2014 amended the Dutiable 
Commodities Regulation s to make provisions regarding the use of an informatio n 
system (i.e. the Dutiable Commodities System (DCS))  in connection with 
applications for licences under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance.  From 27 July 
2017 onwards, it is mandatory for traders to submit electronic dutiable 
commodities licence applicati ons through the DCS.  
 (b) If the notified measure refers to a change in an already notified import 
licensing procedure, please indicate the document symbol of the 
notification to which change(s) has(ve) been introduced. (In this case 
please also indicate i n Section 3, below, the nature of the changes (i.e. inclusion 
or exclusion of some goods and a list thereof; contact point for information and/or 
administrative body(ies) for submission of applications, etc.)):   
  G/LIC/N/1/HKG/1, G/LIC/N/3/HKG/20  
2. Information  concerning the institution / change of import licensing procedure:  
(a) List of products subject to the licensing procedure  (Exact name of the 
products and/or whenever possible HS code and indication of the exact HS 
Nomenclature (i.e.  1996; 200 2 or 2007).  Abbreviations should be avoided.  In 
the case of a long list of products, please attach the list as an Annex in Microsoft 
Word or compatible software.  Please do not use PDF, or photocopies. )  
A trader in Hong Kong, China  requires a licence to handle dutiable commodities 
(DC), including alcoholic liquors (with an alcoholic strength above 30% by volume 
measured at the temperature of 20oC), tobacco, hydrocarbon oil and methyl 
alcohol.  Notable licence types include Import and  Export Licence, Manufacturer’s 
Licence and Bonded Warehouse Licence, and all the said licences must be 
renewed annually.  Upon granted a relevant licence, a trader can then apply a DC 
permit each time to cover any movement of DC such as importation, expor tation, 
transfer between bonded warehouses before duty payment, etc.  Before 
27 January 2017, an application for a licence, and any information submitted in 
connection with the application, shall be in paper form.  From 27 July 2017 
onwards, all licence ap plications shall be submitted electronically to the 
Hong Kong Customs through the DCS.  
 (b) Contact point for information on eligibility   
Licence and Permit Division, Office of Dutiable Commodities Administration, 
Customs and Excise Department  G/LIC/N/2/HKG/8  
 
- 2 - 
 
  Address:  3/F, Customs Headquarters Building, 222 Java Road, North Point, 
Hong Kong 
(c) Administrative body(ies) for submission of applications  (If more than one 
please include the same information for each body.)  
Please see Item 2(b)  
 (d) Date and name of publication where licensing procedures are published  
Date of publication:  It was announced through Hong Kong Government Gazette 
on 25 November 2016. Traders can access the DCS through website at 
https://www.d cs.customs.gov.hk  to submit licence applications.  
Source of publication (Official Gazette /journal/ website):   
http://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/20141812/es22014181231.pdf   
http://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/20162047/es220162047175.pdf  
http://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/2 0162047/egn201620476672.pdf   
 (e) Indication of whether the licensing procedure is   
[ X ] automatic.   If so please indicate:  (f) the administrative purpose:  
Under the e -licensing regime, traders can submit licence applications by 
electronic means, saving their time and manpower resources spent in the 
paper application process.  Traders can now receive automatic reminders 
of licence renewal and electronic notification of payment of licence fees, 
thus facilitating their timely completion of formalities as required.  The e -
licensing system also allows effective data retrieval and system interface 
with other information databases of the Hong Kong Customs, ther eby 
enhancing our efficiency in processing licence applications, handling 
enquiries about licence matters as well as carrying out duties regarding 
revenue control.  Implementation of the e -licensing system also saves 
paper and space required for document s torage.  
[  ] non-automatic.   If so please indicate:  (g) the measure being 
implemented through the import licensing procedure:   
(h) Expected duration of the licensing procedure if this can be estimated with 
some probability, and if not, reason why this in formation cannot be 
provided  
The electronic submission of DC licence applications is a long term arrangement.  
3. Other relevant data or information:  (i.e. complete title and data concerning the 
legislation, inclusion or exclusion of certain products from the import licensing regime and 
list thereof; changes related to t he administrative body(ies) for submission of 
applications, etc. )  
 Not applicable  
 
 
__________  
 
 
                                                
1 "Members which institute licensing procedures or changes in these procedures shall notify the 
Committee of such within 60 days of publication [...]" (Art. 5.1) .