Electronic customs declaration required for mail containing goods destined to designated regions starts from January 1

     Hongkong Post announced today (December 17) that, as required by the postal administrations of the following destinations, senders must submit electronic customs declaration to these destinations when sending mail containing goods from January 1, 2021 onwards. These destinations include the Mainland China, the 27 member states of the European Union (see attachment), the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Brazil. The above requirement has been put into effect for the posting of packets to the United States of America since June 2019, and is now extended to cover all mail categories containing goods.
      
     The customs information required is the same as currently provided in the paper declaration forms, which includes:
 

• sender's information;
• addressee's information; and
• particulars of contents. 

     Hongkong Post has made various channels available for senders to submit their declarations. Customers can just sit back at home and make use of the online platforms of Easy PreCustoms (easy-precustoms.hongkongpost.hk/epc/?), ec-Ship and My Speedpost, or the Hongkong Post mobile App to submit the information. Or else they can make use of the kiosk and/or tablet readily available in all post offices to submit the information by following the simple steps.
      
     As reminded by the postal administrations of the above destinations, all categories mail containing goods which do not come with electronic customs information will be subject to delays in customs clearance, or will not be processed. Senders are encouraged to provide return address on the mail items. In the absence of a return address, the returned item will be destroyed. Postage will not be refunded for return or disposal as a result of such circumstances. 
        
     As overseas postal administrations are gradually implementing the requirement of electronic customs declaration, senders are advised to take note of the latest announcements on Hongkong Post website (www.hongkongpost.hk/en/other/2020/ecustoms/index.html) before posting.