Tariffs, Quotas and Licensing Control

Hong Kong

Goods flow freely through the duty-free port of Hong Kong. Under Hong Kong's separate customs regime, only a handful of goods are subject to tariffs. There are no import duties on machinery or raw materials. Hong Kong also has easy access to state-of-the-art hardware and software. Its economy is nurtured by a government policy of maximum support and minimum intervention.

Import and export licenses, and certificates of origin are only required to enable Hong Kong to fulfill its obligations under international agreements or requirements of importing countries and for public health, safety or security reasons. Textiles and clothing products for export to certain markets are currently subject to quota restraint Excise duties are levied only on tobacco, liquor, methyl alcohol and hydrocarbon oil, whether imported or locally manufactured ("Hong Kong's Top," n.d.).

Under the Import and Export (Registration) Regulations, any person who imports and article into Hong Kong, other than an exempted article, will be required to lodge an import declaration with Custom and Excise Department within 14 days of import. The Import and Export (Strategic Commodities) Regulations require that all persons importing or exporting strategic commodities first obtain a license from the Trade Department. The procedure for obtaining a license is generally quick and inexpensive (Tam, n.d.).