HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT, 1953
Import and Excise Duties
There is no general tariff and no duty is charged on exports. Five groups of commodities, either imported into or manufactured in the Colony for local consumption, attract duty under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. These are liquor, tobacco, hydrocarbon oils, toilet preparations and proprietary medicines, and table waters.
A preferential rate of duty for liquor of Empire origin is levied at approximately 80% of the rate for non-Empire pro- duce. Locally-produced beer is allowed a further preferential margin on Empire beer. These rates vary from $1.15 per Imperial gallon on locally-brewed beer to $55 per Imperial gallon for non-Empire brandy and liqueurs.
The scale of duties on imported tobacco ranges from $3 per lb. on Chinese prepared tobacco to $7 per lb. on cigars of non-Empire origin. Preferential rates are granted to tobacco of Empire origin and manufacture.
Duty on light oils is 80 cents per gallon. For heavy oils the rates vary from $104 per ton for heavy diesel oil for road vehicles, to $24 per ton for furnace oil, and 10 cents per gallon for other kinds of heavy oils.
Duty is payable on toilet preparations and proprietary medicines at the rate of 25% of the f.o.b., prices ex-shipping port for imported goods and 25% of the selling prices ex- factory. Table waters attract duty at 48 cents per Imperial gallon.
Drawback on export is permitted on duty-paid commodities manufactured locally.
There is an adequate number of general bonded and licensed warehouses.
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