TNAG-0148-FCO40-184-Consular-endorsements-of-certificates-of-origin-for-Italy-1969 — Page 33

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Νι

Trade have for a number of years been pressing for the

abolition of unnecessary consular formalities and fees.

Article VIII of the GATT also provides, inter alie) that

consular fees and charges, where they exist, should be

limited in amount to the approximate cost of the services

rendered. The imposition of a sliding scale of fees is

difficult to reconcile with these provisions. Furthermore,

the charming of fees for endorsement of certificates of

origin for imports into Italy from Hong Kong, which are not

required on similar imports from other contracting parties

to the GATT, acts as a discriminatory impost on Hong Kong

exports, and an impost which is made more onerous when the

changes are levied on A sliding scale.

7.

In the light of the shore and, as the Hong Kong

Government believe that their arrangements to certify the

origin of Hong Kone products provide fully adequate safe-

cards against the possibility of imports from other countries

entering Italy as of Hong Kong origin, the Hong Kong Govern-

ment would ask the Ministry of Foreign Trade to dispense with

the requirement for consular endorsements on certificates of

origin issued in Hong Kong. They would also wish, in this

connection, to refer to the discussion of this matter at the

meeting of the GATT Committee on Trade in Industrial Products

in Geneva on 19th 26th March, 1969, wher a similar request

to the above was made by the United Kingdom representative and

the Italian representative replied that he would report the

discussion to his authorities.

8.

Her Majesty's Embassy avail themselves of this

opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Trade the

ASSUPgnce of their highest consideration.