18
Documentation of Imports and Exports
INDUSTRY AND TRADE
Import and export licensing formalities are kept to a minimum consistent with Hong Kong's international obligations. The most complex formalities are those result- ing from Hong Kong's obligations to restrain certain exports of textile products. Apart from the export licence covering textiles-for which a fee of $15 per application is charged--all other import and export licences are issued free of charge.
With Hong Kong's dependence on the export of manufactured goods-mostly made from imported materials-and on the substantial re-export trade, a certification of origin system to meet the requirements of overseas customs authorities is vitally important. The Commerce and Industry Department issues certificates of origin and accepts responsibility for safeguarding the integrity of the entire Hong Kong certifica- tion system. To this end, close liaison is maintained with overseas authorities and with the authorised non-government certificate-issuing bodies: the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, the Federa- tion of Hong Kong Industries, the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, and the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce. The value of domestic exports covered by certificates of origin issued by the six organisations during 1976 was estimated at $12,604 million, of which $8,443 million was covered by departmental certificates.
Britain and a number of other Commonwealth countries grant preferential rates of duty to Hong Kong products. To support claims to preference, the Commerce and Industry Department issues Commonwealth preference certificates against detailed cost statements or legal undertakings given by manufacturers to use only Common- wealth raw materials. During the year, the department continued its efforts to persuade Commonwealth countries to accept certificates of origin issued by the department with an endorsement to show the requisite Commonwealth content in the manufacture of the products, instead of the Commonwealth preference certificates-which need to be prepared and signed by accountants. There are 24 Commonwealth countries which have accepted the simplified certification arrangement. The value of goods exported in 1976 under Commonwealth preference certificates and endorsed certificates of origin was $1,677 million.
A number of countries grant tariff preferences to Hong Kong under generalised preference schemes. These are: Austria, Canada, the European Economic Community, Japan, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States. Form 'A' certificates are issued for exports under claim to preferential entry into these countries. Since the beginning of 1976, the authorised non-government certificate-issuing bodies have been approved to certify such exports to Canada, Japan and Switzerland. The value of exports in 1976 covered by Form 'A' certificates amounted to $5,778 million.
An estimated 62.4 per cent of Hong Kong's domestic exports are covered by certificates of one type or another-49.2 per cent of them by the department's cer- tificates.
The Trade Facilitation Committee is an advisory body to the Director of Com- merce and Industry and to industrial and other organisations in Hong Kong in the field of standardisation and simplification of trade documents and trade procedures.