HK proposes to exempt import, export declaration charges on articles used in aircraft

HONG KONG -- A spokesman for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau of the Hong Kong government said Wednesday that it planned to introduce the Import and Export (Registration) (Amendment) Regulation 2008.

The suggestion of introducing the amendment regulation is to exempt all import and export declaration charges in respect of aircraft parts and accessories used in the repair or maintenance of aircraft owned or chartered by local-based airlines.

The spokesman said that the scope of exemption under the proposal also covered the import declaration charges on articles used in the repair and maintenance of freight containers operated by local-based sea or air freight transport companies.

"This is a technical amendment to regulation 8 of the Import and Export (Registration) Regulations to better reflect our policy concerning the exemptions. Nevertheless, while the proposal seeks to exempt the declaration charges, traders will continue to be required to lodge relevant trade declarations," the spokesman said.

The amendment regulation will be introduced into the Legislative Council (Legco) on Feb. 20, and subject to Legco approval, it will be gazetted on Feb. 22 and commence operation on the same date.

At present, anyone who lodges an import/export declaration in respect of an article not exempted from declaration charge is required to pay a declaration charge.