0003230
G.F. 323
Lord
CONFIDENTIAL
2
Composition of the Trade
6.
As already mentioned, the bulk of Hong Kong's exports of umbrellas to the Benelux fall in item no. 899 410 "umbrellas and sunshades". Exporters are under no obligation to give any more explicit descriptions of their consignments, and many do not do so, but our research indicates that the following breakdown would probably reflect the composition of the trade with reasonable accuracy
Type
Quantity
Value
(Doz.)
(HK$)
Men's
6,586
392,104
Ladies'
8,100
319,449
Children's and toys
19.902
340,094
Other
1.218
88.186
35,806
1,139,833
or expressed as percentages
Percentage
Type
by Quantity
Percentage by Value
Men's
18.4
34.4
Ladies'
22.6
28.0
Children's and toys
55.6
29.8
Other
3.4
7.7
100.0
99.9
7.
It would appear, therefore, that the majority of Hong Kong exports are children's or toy umbrellas with which, as you stated in July, the Benelux Governments are not as yet particularly concerned. You will note, incidentally, that virtually all children's umbrellas were correctly declared to the Commerce and Industry Department as umbrellas and not as toys.
Origin
8.
The Department's records show that all but two of the manufacturers known to be producing umbrellas for the Benelux market are registered with the Department for the issue of certificates of origin. Hong Kong umbrellas contain a limited number of imported component parts, but the fact of registration indicates that the factories concerned are able to satisfy the criteria laid down by the Department for confering Hong Kong origin.
9.
The Department's records also show that a few firms exporting umbrellas to the Benelux obtained certificates of origin for their consignments although such certificates were not then required by the Benelux Governments. The Department note the Benelux Governments have now stipulated that, as from 1st October 1967, all imports of umbrellas made in Hong Kong must be covered by certificates of origin, and have informed the industry accordingly.
/10.
CONFIDENTIAL
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G.F. 323
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