The Import and Export (Amendment) Ordinance 2023 took effect upon gazettal today (June 30).
The Ordinance sets up the Alternative Smoking Product Transhipment Control Scheme (ATCS), allowing intermodal transhipment of alternative smoking products (ASPs) to overseas markets via Hong Kong International Airport under the ATCS.
A spokesman for the Transport and Logistics Bureau said, "The ATCS is managed, supervised and enforced by the Customs and Excise Department (C&ED). The ATCS has four major elements, namely advance registration and vetting, installation of security measures, advance cargo information as well as real-time monitoring, so as to tighten regulation on the intermodal ASP transhipment. Meanwhile, the Ordinance also raises the penalty level for the offence of importing ASPs, i.e. on summary conviction to a fine of $500,000 and to imprisonment for two years, or on conviction on indictment to a fine of $2,000,000 and to imprisonment for seven years, in order to enhance the deterrent effect."
"The Ordinance has balanced the Government's strenuous effort in tobacco control and the imminent need to maintain Hong Kong's logistics and air cargo transhipment business in order to preserve Hong Kong's position as an international trade centre and aviation hub under the National 14th Five-Year Plan," the spokesman added.
Any person who wishes to register the ATCS may submit an application to the C&ED. Details of the ATCS have been uploaded to the C&ED's website (www.customs.gov.hk/en/service-enforcement-information/trade-facilitation/ASP/ATCS/index.html) for the public's reference.
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