Customs Signs MOU with FedEx to Enhance Cross-Boundary Cargo Clearance Efficiency in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Customs signs MOU on Cross-boundary Express Cargo Clearance Facilitation Arrangement with Federal Express (Hong Kong) to strengthen co-operation

The Assistant Commissioner (Boundary and Ports) of Customs and Excise, Ms Wong Wai-chuen, today (December 12) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Cross-boundary Express Cargo Clearance Facilitation Arrangement (CEFA) with the Federal Express (Hong Kong) Limited to further deepen collaboration at the Customs Headquarters Building.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ms Wong said that to dovetail with the rapid development of the global electronic commerce industry, Customs has started the trial of the CEFA since the first half of this year by introducing an innovative customs clearance model of "free flow through the first line and efficient control at the second line". Through pre-assessing the risk of goods based on the declared cargo information from logistics providers and utilising technology monitoring to ensure uninterrupted transportation of parcels, the time spent on loading, unloading and locating parcels inspected at Hong Kong ports will be reduced. Upon the arrival of parcels at a designated clearance area, a designated mobile examination team from Customs will conduct customs clearance on the spot to accelerate cargo shipment procedures. The implementation of the CEFA has demonstrated a balanced approach between trade facilitation and enforcement, thereby strengthening Hong Kong's competitive advantage as a major international trade centre and regional logistics hub.

Customs attaches great importance to maintaining close co-operation with logistics providers and welcomes enterprises to participate in the CEFA to improve the overall efficiency of customs clearance and create a favourable business environment in Hong Kong. To participate in the CEFA, logistics providers must fulfil the following requirements:

(a) Obtain Authorized Economic Operator accreditation in Hong Kong;

(b) Become users of the Road Cargo System or other systems designated by Customs, with accurate cargo information submitted in formats specified by Customs;

(c) Become users of Customs electronic locks; and

(d) Bear a high level of credibility and a secured supply chain policy that meets the safety requirements of Customs.

Customs will continue to expand the scope of co-operation with the logistics industry to promote swift and reliable cargo clearance services, achieving a win-win situation for both sides. The department is also committed to being the gatekeeper and shoulder the responsibilities of the facilitator of economic development of the country and Hong Kong to intercept illegal articles entering and exiting Hong Kong, expedite cargo flow, and facilitate trading activities.

Hong Kong Customs signs MOU on Cross-boundary Express Cargo Clearance Facilitation Arrangement with Federal Express (Hong Kong) to strengthen co-operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs signs MOU on Cross-boundary Express Cargo Clearance Facilitation Arrangement with Federal Express (Hong Kong) to strengthen co-operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong launches pilot medical subsidy arrangement

The Social Welfare Department (SWD) announced today (December 17) that China Taiping Life Insurance (Hong Kong) Company Limited (Taiping Life (Hong Kong)) has been commissioned to assist the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in implementing the Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong - Pilot Medical Subsidy Arrangement for two years starting from December 22 this year.

Since the commencement date of the pilot arrangement, elderly participants of the Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong (the Scheme) can apply for the subsidy concerning their self-paid medical expenses incurred at any designated medical institutions (including clinics, hospitals, and pharmacy stores) within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) under the coverage of the National Basic Medical Insurance Policy. The annual ceiling is RMB10,000 per person for outpatient expenses and RMB30,000 per person for inpatient expenses.

The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, attended the launching ceremony of the Pilot Medical Subsidy Arrangement. He said that the HKSAR Government introduces the medical subsidy through policy innovation, providing additional healthcare support for the elderly participants of the Scheme. He was delighted that Taiping Life (Hong Kong) had been selected as the service provider through an open bidding process, and said he looked forward to Taiping Life (Hong Kong)'s promotion of cross-boundary elderly care through professional services.

Under the Pilot Medical Subsidy Arrangement, Taiping Life (Hong Kong) will assist the HKSAR Government in processing applications for reimbursement of medical expenses by elderly persons, including vetting and settling claims of relevant medical expenses and conducting investigation of medical services, etc.

In recent years, the HKSAR Government has been proactively expanding and enhancing the Scheme. To date, 24 residential care homes for the elderly have joined the Scheme, covering eight GBA Mainland cities with over 800 Hong Kong elderly residents. Details of the Pilot Medical Subsidy Arrangement are available on SWD's website: www.swd.gov.hk/storage/asset/section/726/en/The%20Pilot%20Medical%20Subsidy%20Arrangement_EN.pdf.

Source: AI-found images