Fee revision under Customs and Excise Department to take effect on March 1

     The Government will gazette on January 4 the Dutiable Commodities (Amendment) Regulation 2019 and a notice under the Motor Vehicles (First Registration Tax) Ordinance to revise 17 fees for licences and services under the Customs and Excise Department. The new fees will take effect on March 1.

     The fees to be revised involve:

* licence fees for traders of dutiable commodities;

* fees for transfer of or substitution or amendment in any licence;

* fees for certain certificates and storage of dutiable commodities;

* bonded warehouse supervision fees; and

* registration fees for motor vehicle importers and/or distributors.
     
     "In line with the 'user-pays' principle, it is the Government's policy that fees charged by the Government should in general be set at levels adequate to recover the full cost of the public services provided.

     "Costing review at the 2018-19 price level shows that the cost recovery levels of these fee items range from 28.4 per cent to 82 per cent. The extent of fee increases ranges from 10 per cent to 20 per cent, or from $0.30 to $2,450 in dollar terms.

     "The aforementioned fees were last revised in 2015. We will continue to enhance efficiency and streamline procedures so as to contain the costs of providing these services," a Government spokesman said.

     After the fee revision, the government revenue will increase by about $530,000 per annum.