Service Providers

Direct Electronic Declaration Service

Import/export declarations are to be lodged electronically through the following service providers (SPs) appointed by the Government:

After registration with a SP, importers/exporters may make use of the front-end solutions provided, such as end-user software or web-form, to compile the necessary information into structured declaration messages as required.  With proper electronic signature, the electronic declarations can be submitted to the SP’s system.

Importers/exporters should check their electronic mail box provided by the SP 30 minutes after sending the declarations to confirm if their declarations have been accepted.  If a declaration is in order and accepted by the SP’s system, the declarant will receive an “acknowledgement message” from the system while the declaration message will be transmitted to the Government’s system.  The payment of the relevant Government charges and levies, together with the SP’s service fees, will be settled between the declarant and the SP.

On the other hand, if a declaration is rejected by the SP’s system, the declarant will receive an “error message”.  The declarant will have to re-submit the declaration after taking appropriate follow-up actions.  Importers/exporters should note that they have to pay late lodgement charge and may be liable to prosecution if they fail to lodge the required import/export declarations within 14 days after the importation or exportation of the article.

Paper-to-electronic Conversion Service via Specified Agents

Paper-to-electronic conversion service for the import/export declarations is provided by SPs through a network of service agents in Hong Kong.  Importers/exporters have to complete a specified paper authorisation form.  The service agents will convert the information on paper into electronic messages and send them to the SPs for onward transmission to the Government.  The processing time for such conversion service required by individual service agents is different and an extra service charge will be incurred.

For more details or enquiry on this service, please approach the service agents direct.  A list of the service agents is given in the Paper-to-Electronic Declaration Conversion Service Network.

  - Brio Electronic Commerce Limited
  - Global e-Trading Services Limited (Ge-TS)
  - Tradelink Electronic Commerce Limited (Tradelink)

Under Regulation (9) of the Import and Export (Registration) Regulations, the Commissioner may require the declarant to produce relevant trade documents to verify any particulars given in a declaration.  In addition, importers/exporters are advised to keep copies of declarations and SP’s transaction bills (or declaration authorisation forms and payment receipt for users of the paper-to-electronic conversion service) for verification.