Basic information
Outline of the system
Import licences/certificates are required for import of rice (unless for purposes specifically exempted under the relevant legislation) to maintain a stable supply of rice and a reserve stock for emergencies. The licensing system is primarily operated by the Trade and Industry Department.
Product coverage
Rice
Nature of licensing
Automatic
If Automatic, administrative purpose
Non-Automatic
If Non-Automatic, description of the notified Non-Automatic Licensing regime
The principal objective is to maintain a stable supply and a reserve stock for emergencies.
Products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
The principal objective of the import licensing/certification system is not to restrict the quantity or value of imports, but to maintain a stable supply and a reserve stock for emergencies.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
Not applicable as the import licensing system is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports.
The system applies to products originating from which country?
The import licensing/certification system applies to products coming from all places
Expected duration of licensing procedure
The import licensing system is an ongoing requirement.
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
The import licensing/certification system is a statutory requirement maintained under the Reserved Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 296).
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
Legislation does not leave designation of product to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion.
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
Any changes to the import licensing/certification system require legislative approval.
Eligibility of applicants
Is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation?
Under normal circumstances, only stockholders registered with the Trade and Industry Department may import rice into HKSAR for local consumption.
What persons or firms are eligible to apply for a licence?
Registration is open to any person/entity carrying on a business registered in HKSAR.
Is there a registration fee?
Registration is free of charge.
Is there a published list of authorized importers?
There is a published list of registered stockholders of rice.
Contact point for information on eligibility
Ministry/Authority
Trade and Industry Department
Address
Rice Control Unit, Room 1324, 13/F, Trade and Industry Tower,3 Concorde Road, Kowloon City, Hong Kong
Telephone
(852) 2398 5570
Fax
(852) 3525 0987
Contact officer
Submission of an application
Administrative body(ies) for submission of an application
Trade and Industry Department
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
In general, information to be supplied includes particulars of the importer, of the importation and of the products to be imported.
Full implementation of E-Services for Import Licence for Rice
With effect from 30 June 2022, traders can lodge e applications for import licence for rice via the Trade and Industry Department ("TID")'s website and receive the relevant application results or approved licences electronically. Notwithstanding the introduction of the above e-services, traders can continue to lodge the application in paper form and obtain the application results at TID in person as before.
https://www.tid.gov.hk/english/import_export/nontextiles/nt_rice/rice022...
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
A sample of the Import Licence Form 3 applicable to rice can be downloaded at:
https://www.tid.gov.hk/english/aboutus/form/sampleform/forms_maincontent....
Online applications for Import Licence for rice is also available through the Trade and Industry Department's website at https://www.tid.gov.hk/english/aboutus/form/publicform/nontextiles/form_... and Trade Single Window at https://www.tradesinglewindow.hk/portal/en/index.html respectively.
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
Application for import licences/certificates should be lodged in advance of importation taking into account the processing time.
Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain
There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence/certificate may be made.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
In exceptional cases, a licence can be granted immediately on request.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
The processing time is one clear working day for rice.
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
The Trade and Industry Department is the sole administrative organ for the processing and approval of import licences/certificates.
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
The licensing/certification conditions are printed on the front or back of the import licence.
A sample of the Import Licence Form 3 applicable to rice can be downloaded at:
https://www.tid.gov.hk/english/aboutus/form/sampleform/forms_maincontent....
Additional conditions applicable to rice imported for local consumption and for re-export are set out on the specimens at:
Specimen of Completed Import Licence Form 3 (Local Consumption)
https://www.tid.gov.hk/english/import_export/nontextiles/nt_rice/files/r...
Specimen of Completed Import Licence Form 3 (Re-Export)
https://www.tid.gov.hk/english/import_export/nontextiles/nt_rice/files/r...
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
No licensing fee or administrative charge is required for import licence applications.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
For rice, the price of non-textiles import licence forms is HK$19 per pad (containing 20 sets)/HK$3 per set.
Online application for Import Licence for rice through the Trade and Industry Department's website is free of charge.
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
No deposit or advance payment is required.
Amount or rate?
Is it refundable?
What is the period of retention?
What is the purpose of this requirement?
Refusal of an application
Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria?
Under normal circumstances, an application for an import licence/certificate is usually granted if it meets the ordinary criteria.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
Reasons for refusal will be given to the applicant.
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
Applicants may appeal to the Chief Executive of the HKSAR in the event of refusal to issue an import licence/certificates. The Chief Executive may confirm, vary or reverse the decision of the Director-General of Trade and Industry. The right to appeal to the Chief Executive is provided in relevant statutes.
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
Applicants for rice may appeal to the Chief Executive of the HKSAR in the event of refusal to issue an import licence/certificates. The Chief Executive may confirm, vary or reverse the decision of the Director-General of Trade and Industry. The right to appeal to the Chief Executive is provided in relevant statutes.
Importation
Are there any limitations as to the period of year during which importation may be made?
There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which importation may be made.
What documents are required upon actual importation?
The import licence is the only document required upon actual importation.
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
There are no other administrative procedures required prior to importation.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
Unless otherwise stated, an import licence/certificate is valid for eight weeks for rice. The period of validity can be extended by the Director-General of Trade and Industry depending on the merits of individual requests.
Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
There is no penalty for non-utilization. Importers should however cancel or amend the licences/certificates.
Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
The licence/certificate is not transferable.
Foreign Exchange
Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported?
The banking authorities automatically provide foreign exchange for goods to be imported.
Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange?
No licence is required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange.