Hong Kong SAR Gazettees Import and Export (Amendment) Bill 2025
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government gazetted the Import and Export (Amendment) Bill 2025 (the Bill) today (21st) to make technical amendments to the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60) and other related legislation for implementing the third phase of the “Trade Single Window” (Single Window).
A spokesperson for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau of the HKSAR Government stated that the Government is implementing the Single Window in three phases to provide a one-stop electronic platform for the industry to submit “Business-to-Government” (B2G) trade documents for customs declaration and cargo clearance. The Bill aims to provide the legal basis for the third phase of the Single Window, enabling the industry to submit import/export declarations, cargo manifests, and applications for Certificates of Origin and licences for dutiable commodities through the system in the future.
Furthermore, the Bill makes necessary legislative amendments for certain third-phase services. These include introducing Value-added Service Providers (VASPs) and their regulatory framework, allowing the industry to voluntarily submit import/export declarations and cargo manifests prior to shipment, and introducing electronic road cargo manifests and electronic certificate of return services. The Bill also includes provisions for transitional arrangements, allowing the third phase of the Single Window and the “Electronic Trading Services” (ETS) to operate in parallel for a period, giving the industry sufficient time to transition to the new system.
The spokesperson pointed out that implementing the Single Window is a large-scale business and operational process re-engineering project. It will comprehensively update and enhance the workflow for document submission between participating government departments and the industry, while simultaneously improving Hong Kong's cargo clearance efficiency. This will help maintain Hong Kong's status as an international trade hub and logistics centre. The Government is currently developing the IT system for the third phase, with the target of rolling out the services in batches starting in 2026.
The Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council for first and second reading on April 2. (Greater Bay Area Voice)
