Hong Kong Customs Signs First Mutual Recognition Arrangement with Peru to Boost Trade Ties.

Hong Kong Customs concludes Authorized Economic Operator Mutual Recognition Arrangement with National Superintendence of Customs and Tax Administration of Peru

The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, signed the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) on Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Programme between Hong Kong Customs and the National Superintendence of Customs and Tax Administration (SUNAT) of Peru in hybrid mode at the Customs Headquarters Building today (December 30). The signing ceremony was witnessed by the Consul-General of Peru, Mr Enrique Carlos Cardenas Arestegui, in person as well as the National Superintendent of Customs and Tax Administration of SUNAT of Peru, Mr Javier Franco Castillo, and the Deputy National Superintendent of Customs of SUNAT of Peru, Mr Carlos Adrianzen, online. Immediately after the signing, Mr Chan exchanged the signed MRA text with Mr Enrique Carlos Cardenas Arestegui.

The MRA with Peru is Hong Kong Customs' first MRA concluded with a Customs administration in the South American region, marking a significant step in strengthening trade ties between the two places as well as the South American region. This MRA will further facilitate the flow of legitimate cross-boundary cargo and enhance the global competitiveness of enterprises in both places.

The Hong Kong AEO Programme was launched in 2012. The signing of the MRA with Peru brings the number of MRAs ratified between Hong Kong Customs and other Customs administrations to 18 in total. The other 17 Customs administrations which Hong Kong has signed MRAs with are the Chinese Mainland; India; Korea; Singapore; Thailand; Malaysia; Japan; Australia; New Zealand; Israel; Canada; Mexico, Indonesia; Macao, China; Bahrain; South Africa and Saudi Arabia. Under the MRA, AEOs from the signatory countries or regions can enjoy reciprocal trade facilitations including a reduced inspection rate and prioritised clearance.

Hong Kong Customs will continue to accord priority to its discussions on MRAs with the Belt and Road economies, particularly member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, as well as African and South American countries to further expand the MRA network.

Hong Kong Customs concludes Authorized Economic Operator Mutual Recognition Arrangement with National Superintendence of Customs and Tax Administration of Peru Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs concludes Authorized Economic Operator Mutual Recognition Arrangement with National Superintendence of Customs and Tax Administration of Peru Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Validity end date of Electricity Charges Subsidy Scheme and Electricity Charges Relief Scheme (2024-25) extended to December 31, 2026

The Government announced today (December 30) that the validity end date of the unused subsidy/relief balances (unused balances) under the Electricity Charges Subsidy Scheme (ECSS) and the Electricity Charges Relief Scheme (ECRS) (2024-25) will be extended by one year from December 31, 2025, to December 31, 2026.

A Government spokesperson said, "Taking into account that a considerable number of households have not yet used up the distributed subsidy/relief, the Government has decided to extend the validity end date of the unused balances by one year. All unused balances will be carried forward to cover billed electricity charges under the same account until December 31, 2026, or the closure of the account, whichever is earlier. The Government will keep the situation under review and consider, as appropriate, whether a further extension of the validity period is warranted."

The unused balances will continue to be reflected in the electricity bills of eligible accounts. For enquiries on account matters, users may contact CLP Power Hong Kong Limited's Customer Service Hotline on 2678 2678 or the Hongkong Electric Company, Limited's Customer Service Hotline on 2887 3411. Details of the ECSS and ECRS are available at www.fstb.gov.hk/en/treasury/fin_rel_shc/electricity-charges-subsidy-scheme.htm and www.eeb.gov.hk/en/energy/ecrs.html respectively.

ECSS

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The Government launched eight rounds of the ECSS between 2008 and 2023 to provide a maximum total electricity charge subsidy of $14,000 to eligible residential electricity accounts. The sum was fully credited to relevant accounts from September 2008 to May 2024. The last round of the ECSS (2023) concluded in May 2024, and the original validity end date of the unused subsidy was December 31, 2025.

ECRS (2024-25)

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Under the ECRS (2024-25), the Government provides electricity charge relief of $50 per month to eligible residential electricity accounts (to a maximum total relief of $1,200). The sum was fully credited to relevant accounts from January 2024 to December 2025, and the original validity end date of the unused relief was December 31, 2025.

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