XN000022-1986-03-23 — Page 3

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SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 190

IMPORT REQUIREMENT TO BE VIGOROUSLY ENFORCED

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THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT WILL, FROM APRIL 1, VIGOROUSLY ENFORCE THE REQUIREMENT THAT ALL TEXTILE AND GARMENT IMPORTS INTO HONG KONG CARRY IMPORT LICENCES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.

UNDER THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (GENERAL) REGULATIONS, IMPORTS OF TEXTILES MUST BE BROUGHT IN UNDER VALID IMPORT LICENCES ISSUED BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF THE GOODS. THIS REQUIREMENT WAS INTRODUCED IN 1980 BUT THERE IS A TENDENCY THAT IMPORTERS TAKE OUT IMPORT LICENCES FOR TEXTILES AFTER THE GOODS HAVE ACTUALLY ARRIVED IN HONG KONG.

+THIS PRACTICE MUST STOP+, SAID THE SPOKESMAN.

FROM ARPIL 1, THE RULES WILL BE ENFORCED MORE STRICTLY AND THE ISSUE OF LICENCES AFTER THE IMPORT OF GOODS WILL BE MADE ONLY IN EXCEPTIONAL CASES. THERE WILL ALSO BE NO INSTANT LICENSING SERVICE FOR LATE APPLICANTS.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID SPOT CHECKS ON CARGOES, PARTICULARLY CARGOES IMPORTED BY SEA, WILL BE INTENSIFIED AND IMPORTERS AND CARRIERS ARE REMINDED THAT IMPORTS NOT COVERED BY LICENCES CAN BE SEIZED WITH PROSECUTIONS RESULTING.

TRANSPORTATION, SHIPPING AND AIRLINE COMPANIES SHOULD NOT RELEASE ANY TEXTILE GOODS INTO THE TERRITORY WITHOUT THE PRODUCTION OF A VALID TEXTILE IMPORT LICENCE. THEY ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO PRESENT THE RELEVANT IMPORT LICENCE TO THE TRADE DEPARTMENT TOGETHER WITH THE RELEVANT CARGO MANIFEST.

THE LAW PROVIDES HEAVY PENALTIES UP TO A FINE OF $500 000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR ONE YEAR FOR PARTIES WHO FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS.

SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS WILL APPLY TO COVER THE SHIPMENT OF COMMERCIAL SAMPLES OF NO COMMERCIAL VALUE.

ALSO FROM APRIL 1, IMPORTERS OF GARMENTS, GARMENT PARTS AND CERTAIN KNITTED FABRICS NOT SHIPPED IN BOLT WILL HAVE TO DECLARE THE INTENDED USE OF EACH CONSIGNMENT AND TO INDICATE THE WAY IN WHICH IT IS TO BE EITHER USED LOCALLY OR THE COUNTRY TO WHICH IT IS INTENDED TO RE-EXPORT. IN ADDITION, IMPORTERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE FULL PARTICULARS OF THE GARMENT PARTS AND KNITTED FABRIC NOT SHIPPED IN BOLT.

THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS REQUIRED TO FACILITATE PHYSICAL CHECKS TO BE CARRIED OUT BY CUSTOMS OFFICERS TO VERIFY THE ACCURACY OF DECLARATIONS MADE ON IMPORT LICENCES. THE DECLARED IMPORTER MUST ALSO FURNISH INFORMATION, INCLUDING DOCUMENTS, IF ASKED, RELATING TO IMPORT LICENCES.

PROVISION OF FALSE OR MISLEADING INFORMATION ON A LICENCE APPLICATION CAN RESULT IN A FINE UP TO $500 000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS. IN ADDITION,

IN ADDITION, ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION TO DENY IMPORT LICENSING FACILITIES TO AN OFFENDER CAN BE TAKEN BY THE TRADE DEPARTMENT.

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