US to end preferential treatment for imports from Hong Kong
Customs authorities in the US have confirmed that goods imported from Hong Kong will, from September 25, have to show China as their origin.
Products coming from Hong Kong have long received an easier passage to the US market than goods manufactured in China. Even after Hong Kong reverted to the sovereignty of China on July 1, 1997, goods could enter the US with Hong Kong as their origin.
In July 2020, however, an executive order signed by the US president said Hong Kong was “no longer sufficiently autonomous” to justify different treatment.
US customs authorities said a transition period would apply, but that period will end on September 25 and, from that date, goods from Hong Kong will be subject to the same tariff rates and rules as imports from China.
Image: Marcus Wong
