The US President Donald Trump issued The Hong Kong Autonomy Act and Executive Order 13936 that Eliminates Differential Treatment for Hong Kong recently. As it is said in the Executive Order, the changes in relationships between the U.S. and Hong Kong were made because Hong Kong can not maintain a high degree of autonomy from China anymore. As a result, the preferences for Hong Kong were cancelled by these documents.

Thus, one of such sanctions towards Hong Kong becomes changing in marking requirements. So starting from July 29, it becomes mandatory to put on the goods produced in Hong Kong and exported to the United States information that the country of origin is China and not Hong Kong.

However, they gave the transition period for the dealers, importers, and manufacturers to prepare the marking labels on the goods produced in Hong Kong for the US market. Thus, it becomes mandatory to mark such goods, when entered or withdrawn from the warehouse for consumption into the United States with information: “made in China” after September 25.

Please, remember that if the marking requirements are violated it will bring additional costs on the behalf of the importer and according to the 19 U.S. Code §1304 - Marking of imported articles and containers the company who broke the rules must pay a duty of 10 per centum ad valorem.

The information has been prepared by the GMA Consult Group team. GMA Consult Group provides a full cycle of international type approval and global market access services for IT, Telecom and industrial electrical products in all countries throughout the world. With proven expertise in worldwide regulations, compliance, certification, and conformity assessment, GMA Consult Group can help your company speed up the access to any market with almost zero efforts from your side.

Need your own guide to the world of certification and approvals? Don't hesitate to contact us via info@gma.trade.

‍