Replies to initial written questions raised by Finance Committee Members in examining the Estimates of Expenditure 2012-13 Director of Bureau : Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Session No. 12 File name : cedb(cit)- doc
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- Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2012-13
Question : What are the specific measures as well as staffing provision estimated for 2012-13 for preventing and combating illegal activities related to counterfeit wine? What were the respective figures for the targeted investigations and enforcement actions carried out each year by the dedicated investigation team responsible for such activities under the Intellectual Property Investigation Bureau of C&ED for the last three years (i.e., 2009-10 to 2011-12)? What was the effectiveness? Asked by : Hon. CHEUNG Yu-yan, Tommy Reply : The Intellectual Property Investigation Bureau of Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) has established a dedicated investigation team since August 2008, consisting of 1 Senior Inspector, 1 Chief Customs Officer and 5 Customs Officers to tackle counterfeit wine in addition to other trade mark infringement activities. We will maintain the existing staffing provision in 2012-13. C&ED has formed an alliance with the wine industry since October 2008 to strengthen co-operation in intelligence collection and monitoring of market activities. In May 2011, we set up a specialist team under the alliance to assist enforcement against counterfeit wine. C&ED has also established a liaison network with overseas and Mainland enforcement agencies for the purpose of enhancing its capability in intercepting suspected counterfeit wine and verifying wine authenticity. From 2009-10 to 2011-12, we received a total of 10 wine-related reports. Enforcement action was not found necessary after investigation. We will remain vigilant and continue to monitor the operation of the wine market closely.
Question : Please advise the Committee on the detailed action plan to enhance the efficiency of customs clearance for facilitating cross-boundary cargo flow and the estimated expenditure for 2012-13. Last year, the authorities indicated that in order to further facilitate cross-boundary cargo flow, they would take proactive steps to assist the Mainland side in a feasibility study concerning the establishment of a third-party platform to enable the transportation sector to make electronic submissions in one go for ROCARS and the Mainland’s system for receiving road cargo manifests. What is the progress of the study and what is the estimated time for its completion? Asked by : Hon. LAU Kin-yee, Miriam Reply : The estimated expenditure under “Control and Enforcement” in 2012-13 is $2,042 million. In order to streamline customs clearance thereby facilitating cross-boundary cargo flow, apart from making conscious efforts to fortify our risk management system and bring in hi-tech equipment for enhancing efficiency, the Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) has the following action plans : (a) endeavouring to ensure that the “Road Cargo System” (ROCARS) will operate smoothly and continue to effectively reduce the time required for customs clearance; (b) stepping up publicity for the “Intermodal Transhipment Facilitation Scheme” built on the framework of ROCARS, whereby cargoes are subject to inspection at either the entry or exit point, thereby enhancing operational efficiency, and discussing with the Mainland on possible co-operation that would help create synergy; (c) further extending the “Hong Kong/Guangdong mutual reference arrangements for cargo inspection” from Shenzhen to cover all inland control points in Guangdong Province. More cross-boundary cargoes will not be subject to repeated examinations; and (d) making preparations for the implementation of the “Hong Kong Authorised Economic Operator Programme” whereby qualified companies will benefit from facilitation measures such as priority clearance. To facilitate the simultaneous transmission of cargo data to authorities in both Hong Kong and Guangdong, the two Customs have adopted the data model developed by the World Customs Organisation as the harmonised standard. The two sides are also exploring how to streamline declaration procedures. We are assessing the mode of operation on the ground since the full implementation of ROCARS including the actual needs of the industry, with a view to mapping out the route for further co-operation.
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