| Ref : | TL 436 |
| TRA CR 1015/35 20 June 2022 |
This circular informs the trade of the latest application procedures for Delivery Verification Certificate, and supersedes the previous Strategic Trade Controls Circular No. 3/2019.
2. The legal basis for strategic trade control in Hong Kong is the Import and Export Ordinance, Chapter 60 of the Laws of Hong Kong ( "the Ordinance" ). The Ordinance requires strategic commodities to be covered by import/export licences issued by the Trade and Industry Department ( "TID" ) before they are imported into/exported from Hong Kong. Under the Ordinance, no person shall import or export strategic commodities, i.e. any article specified in the four Schedules to the Import and Export ( Strategic Commodities ) Regulations ( Cap. 60 sub. leg. G ) unless there is a valid licence issued by the Director-General of Trade and Industry.
3. For the purpose of ascertaining the actual destination of specific types of strategic commodities exported, Hong Kong importers may be asked by overseas exporters ( who, in turn, are required by the concerned exporting licensing authorities ) to obtain a Delivery Verification Certificate ( "DVC" ) from the Hong Kong authorities as evidence that a certain consignment of strategic commodities has arrived in Hong Kong. DVCs for strategic commodities are issued by TID upon the request of Hong Kong importers. Traders, however, need not apply for DVCs unless they are so requested by overseas exporters.
4. Applications for DVC should be made on a designated form SC011 ( at Annex A ) . This form is free of charge and available at the Integrated Customer Service Centre at Room 1324, 13/F, Trade and Industry Tower, 3 Concorde Road, Kowloon City, Hong Kong. It can also be downloaded from the Strategic Commodities Control System Website ( "SC Website" ) at http://www.stc.tid.gov.hk.
5. To support a DVC application, applicants should provide, in addition to the application forms, a copy of each of the following supporting documents relating to the consignment in question to the Integrated Customer Service Centre:
( a ) bill of lading/master air waybill; and
( b ) commercial invoice.
A numbered receipt will be issued for each DVC application.
6. Companies can also apply for DVCs electronically for import licences obtained previously through E-Applications. The E-Application for DVC can be made through companies' E-Accounts in the SC Website under the programme of "Apply for Delivery Verification Certificate" provided at the E-Application menu ( at http://www.stc.tid.gov.hk > Login Your E-Account > E-Applications > Delivery Verification Certificate ( under Part ( II ) Licence-related Application ) > Apply for Delivery Verification Certificate ). E-Applicants should download and complete the DVC Application Form SC011 and then scan and upload the duly completed form and the documents in paragraph 5( a ) and ( b ) above. Alternatively, these documents can be sent to the Strategic Trade Controls Branch by fax ( fax no.: 2396 3070 or 3525 1526 ) or in person.
7. As from 20 June 2022 onwards, online payment via credit card is acceptable for DVC applications submitted electronically as mentioned in para. 6 above. Before submitting the electronic application, E-applicants will be required to select the payment method and issue format of the DVC ( i.e. either in-person payment with paper certificate or online payment with electronic certificate ). Please be reminded that the payment method and issue format cannot be changed once the application is submitted. As for all E-Applications, E-Applicant should follow the instructions to print out by themselves the numbered receipts for record and/or future collection of the approved DVCs.
8. Applicants are reminded that the original signed copy of the DVC Application Form must be provided to the TID in all circumstances. Thus, after making the E-Application, applicants should ensure the delivery of the original signed DVC Application Form to the TID as soon as possible. The TID will withhold approval and issuance of the DVC unless and until the original form is received.
9. To use and make E-Applications, companies are required to complete a special registration with the TID in advance. Details of the special registration and other requirements for the use of E-Applications can be found in the SC Website by selecting E-Accounts for Applications > Open an E-Account ( at http://www.stc.tid.gov.hk/english/eaccount/how_open.html ).
Issue of the DVC
10. Unless there are complications, DVC applications are normally approved within 15 working days after receipt of all supporting documents. A processing fee will be charged for the issue of a DVC. Please check the fee table at the website of the TID for the updated processing fee ( https:www.tid.gov.hk/english/aboutus/fee/fee.html ). Before collection, applicants are advised to check with the Strategic Trade Controls Branch ( telephone no.: 3403 6264 ) whether the application concerned has been approved and ready for collection.
11. For paper application and electronic application with in-person payment, the applicant must pay the fee in cash, cheque, through Easy Pay System ( EPS ) or Faster Payment System ( FPS ) and collect the payment receipt at the Shroff and Form Sales Counter of the TID at Room 1309, 13/F, Trade and Industry Tower. The applicant can collect the relevant approved DVC in paper format by showing the payment receipt and the numbered receipt ( i.e. the receipt of application mentioned in paragraphs 5 and 6 above ). Please note that the TID will retain the numbered receipt after issuance of DVC. The payment receipt, however, will be returned to the applicant after verification.
12. For electronic application with online payment via credit card, the E-applicant must pay the fee via the e-Payment Platform Portal. Upon confirmation of successful payment, the E-applicant can download the signed DVC from the E-Accounts in the SC Website.
13. Specimen of an approved DVC is at Annex B.
14. Applicant is required to declare on the DVC application that the consignment in question has actually arrived in Hong Kong and that details of the consignment given are true and correct. In this connection, applicants are reminded that provision of false or misleading information is an offence under the Import and Export Ordinance and that offenders are liable to prosecution and/or administrative actions.
15. Enquiries on the content of this circular and other licensing matters can be made to the Strategic Trade Controls Branch ( telephone no.: 3403 6264; email: stc@tid.gov.hk ).
Strategic Trade Controls Branch
Trade and Industry Department