| 24-hour hotline : 23 922 922 |
e-mail address : stc@tid.gov.hk
|
| Ref. : TRA CR 1015/41 |
15 September 2025
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|
Dear Sirs/Madams, |
Strategic Trade Controls Circular No. 8/2025
Air Transhipment Cargo Exemption Scheme
for Specified Strategic Commodities
Registration for 2026
Purpose
Interested and eligible parties are invited to lodge registration applications for the Air Transhipment Cargo Exemption Scheme for Specified Strategic Commodities on or before 31 October 2025 to enjoy exemptions from licensing requirements for air transhipment cargo of specified strategic commodities in 2026.
2. The Trade and Industry Department implements the Air Transhipment Cargo Exemption Scheme for Specified Strategic Commodities (referred below as "the Scheme") to facilitate the air transhipment of specified strategic commodities through Hong Kong. Registrants under the Scheme are, subject to certain conditions, exempted from licensing requirements under the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60) and the Import and Export (Strategic Commodities) Regulations (Cap. 60G) in respect of air transhipment cargo of specified strategic commodities. The scope of the Scheme, including the definition of air transhipment cargo, and the types of strategic commodities covered by the Scheme are set out in Appendix I. The conditions of exemptions are listed in Appendix II.
Registration
3. Carriers and parties involved in handling air transhipment cargoes in the Hong Kong International Airport, including the airlines, ground handling agents and freight forwarders, who wish to obtain exemptions from licensing requirements for air transhipment cargo of specified strategic commodities in 2026 are now invited to register under the Scheme. The application form is in Appendix III. Applicants are required to lodge the completed application form and supporting documents to the Licensing Section of the Strategic Trade Controls Branch of the Trade and Industry Department (address: Room 1324, 13/F, Trade and Industry Tower, 3 Concorde Road, Kowloon City, Hong Kong) by person or by email to sctrex@tid.gov.hk (authorised digital signature is required on the fillable form for e-submission) on or before 31 October 2025. Successful applicants will be issued with a Certificate of Exemption which will be valid up to 31 December 2026.
4. Applicants are requested to ensure that their applications are supported by documents indicated in the relevant sections of the application form. Officers of the Customs and Excise Department may conduct further verification to ascertain the authenticity and comprehensiveness of the information provided in the applications. In this connection, applicants which have been appointed by other airlines as agents for the purpose of handling air transhipment cargo are reminded to provide copies of agency agreements or letters of appointments issued by the airlines where applicable. They should also be prepared to prove their principal and agent or other contractual relationships with the relevant airlines regarding the handling of air transhipment cargo upon requests by the officers of the Customs and Excise Department.
5. The Certificates of Exemption for the existing registrants of the Scheme are valid up to 31 December 2025 only. To continue to enjoy the exemptions in 2026, it is necessary for the registrants to renew their registration and obtain a new Certificate of Exemption.
Important Note
7. Airlines, ground handling agents and freight forwarders should also note that the current Scheme for specified strategic commodities is separate from the other Transhipment Cargo Exemption Scheme which the Department implements covering pharmaceutical products, reserved commodities and rough diamonds. Airlines, ground handling agents and freight forwarders who are currently registered under that Transhipment Cargo Exemption Scheme must separately apply for registration under the present Scheme in order to enjoy the exemption in respect of air transhipment cargo of specified strategic commodities.
8. The Air Transhipment Cargo Exemption Scheme for Specified Strategic Commodities is implemented only for the purpose of providing applicable exemption for specified strategic commodities, the licensing control of which is administered by the Trade and Industry Department in accordance with section 6A(2) of the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60) and regulation 2(1) of the Import and Export (Strategic Commodities) Regulations (Cap. 60G). Controls imposed by other legislations are not affected by the exemption provided by this Scheme. Registrants should note and observe the controls maintained by other government departments under relevant legislations.
Warning
10. The Trade and Industry Department takes a serious view on registrants breaching any of the conditions of exemption under the Scheme. A registered person who contravenes or fails to comply with any of the conditions of exemption commits an offence and is liable to a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for 2 years. Furthermore, the Director-General of Trade and Industry may take administrative actions against that registered person independent and irrespective of any prosecution actions which may be instituted against him. Such administrative actions may involve but shall not necessarily be confined to the revocation or suspension of any exemption and/or registration granted and the refusal to renew any exemption and/or registration granted.
Enquiries
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Name of Officer
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Telephone No.
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Miss Iris LI
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2398 5696
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| Mr Eric NG | 2398 5581 |
Yours faithfully,
( Eric NG )
for Director-General of Trade and Industry
Attachments:
Appendix I
Appendix II
Appendix III
Appendix IV
Appendix V
Appendix VI
Appendix VII