XN000022-1985-02-27 — Page 17

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1985

PROVIDED THAT NO FLAVOURING OR COLOURING HAS, IN ANY CASE, BEEN ADDED.

THE LAW REQUIRES ANY PERSON WHO IMPORTS OR MANUFACTURES COSMETICS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, OR KEEPS A WAREHOUSE FOR THE STORAGE OF DUTIABLE COSMETICS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES TO OBTAIN A LICENCE FROM THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT. THIS REQUIREMENT IS SUSPENDED FOR 14 DAYS FROM TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO ALLOW TRADERS TIME TO REGISTER WITH THE DEPARTMENT.

APPLICATION FOR LICENCES CAN BE MADE AT THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES OFFICE, 2 RUMSEY STREET, 10TH FLOOR, HONG KONG, OR AT THE CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393, CANTON ROAD, 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON. IF NO LICENCE IS OBTAINED AT THE EXPIRATION OF THIS 14-DAY PERIOD, ANY PERSON WHO IMPORTS OR MANUFACTURES THESE GOODS WILL BE COMMITTING AN OFFENCE UNDER THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE.

CONCENTRATE, IN THE CONTEXT OF THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE, MEANS ANY LIQUID INTENDED FOR CONSUMPTION AFTER DILUTION AND INCLUDES EXTRACT AND ESSENCE USED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. ALTHOUGH NO DUTY IS PAYABLE ON CONCENTRATE, IT IS SUBJECT TO THE CONTROL OF THE ORDINANCE.

THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT HAS ISSUED CIRCULAR LETTERS TO ALL KNOWN IMPORTERS AND MANUFACTURERS OF COSMETICS AND NON- ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, REMINDING THEM OF THE IR OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE. THOSE WHO ARE IN THESE LINES OF BUSINESS BUT DO NOT RECEIVE SUCH A CIRCULAR LETTER SHOULD CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT AT TELEPHONE 5-757265.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

ALL PRESS ENQUIRIES CAN BE DIRECTED TO MR C.L. LI, SENIOR STAFF INSPECTOR, CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT AT TELEPHONE 5-416585 BETWEEN 8.30 AM AND 5.30 PM OR 5-456182 BETWEEN 6.30 PM AND 10 PM.

SOFT DRINKS NOT A NECESSITY'

*****

THOSE WHO COULD AFFORD SOFT DRINKS COULD ARGUABLY AFFORD

TO PAY DUTY AS FOR BEER, SAID SIR JOHN.

+MANY SOFT DRINKS ARE NOW RETAILING AT PRICES SIMILAR TO THOSE FOR BEER. I CONSIDER THAT THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD SOFT DRINKS CAN ARGUABLY AFFORD TO PAY DUTY AS FOR BEER,+ HE SAID.

+SOFT DRINKS ARE A PLEASING INDULGENCE NOT A NECESSITY.+

/THE BASIC