122 Commerce and Industry
efforts to take forward various business facilitation measures. The division also provides secretariat and other support to the BFAC and its task forces.
Trade Documentation
As a free port, the HKSAR maintains optimal import and export documentation requirements to facilitate legitimate trade. Most products do not need licences to enter or leave Hong Kong. Licences are required mainly to fulfil HKSAR's international obligations; to protect public health, safety, the environment, or intellectual property rights; or ensure Hong Kong's continued access to advanced technologies and hi-tech products.
The HKSAR also maintains an origin certification system to facilitate its exports. to external markets.
Road Cargo System
The Road Cargo System (ROCARS) is an electronic platform developed by the Customs and Excise Department to facilitate customs clearance of road cargoes. ROCARS was launched in May 2010, and submissions of ROCARS became mandatory since November 17, 2011 after an 18-month transitional period. All cross-boundary trucks, except those selected for inspection, now enjoy seamless customs clearance at the land boundary.
Intermodal Transhipment Facilitation Scheme
An Intermodal Transhipment Facilitation Scheme (ITFS) was launched in November 2010 to simplify customs clearance procedures for air-land and sea-land intermodal transhipment cargo. Under ITFS, for traders using ROCARS and certain tracking devices prescribed by the Customs and Excise Department, such cargo will normally be subject to one inspection at most, at either the point of entry or exit.
Government Electronic Trading Services
To maintain Hong Kong's competitiveness as an international trading centre, in 1997 the Government launched the Government Electronic Trading Services (GETS) system to provide a platform for the trading community to submit certain trade related documents electronically, thereby discharging their statutory obligations in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly manner.
In 2011, the transaction volume was about 21 million. The appointment of a third GETS service provider in 2010, in addition to the original two, has given users a wider choice and brought added room for healthy competition in the market. Enhancement measures have also been implemented to reduce traders' data input efforts.
Trade and Industrial Support Organisations
Hong Kong Trade Development Council
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), a statutory body established in 1966, is responsible for promoting and expanding Hong Kong's trade in goods and services. With its global network of more than 40 offices, including 11