Hong Kong Customs Celebrates AEO Certificates and Signs MRA with Laos at 2024 Presentation Ceremony

Hong Kong Customs holds HKAEO Certificate Presentation Ceremony 2024

The Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) held the Hong Kong Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Certificate Presentation Ceremony 2024 today (November 29) at the Customs Headquarters Building and presented AEO Certificates and Hong Kong AEO Programme Partnership Scheme Awards to Hong Kong AEOs. A signing ceremony of the AEO Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) Action Plan between Hong Kong Customs and Lao Customs was also held.

The C&ED at the ceremony presented AEO Certificates to six new and 27 renewed AEOs. The Hong Kong AEO Partnership Awards were also presented to nine enterprises in recognition of their outstanding performance in promoting the Hong Kong AEO Programme. Since the implementation of the Hong Kong AEO Programme in 2012, the number of accredited enterprises has increased to 89.

In addition, witnessed by the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho, and the Consul General of Laos, Mr Ammala Saenchonghack, the Assistant Commissioner (Excise and Strategic Support) of Customs and Excise, Mr Rudy Hui, and the Deputy Director-General of Lao Customs, Mr Vongvanhpheng Phoumsavanh, signed the Action Plan for the AEO MRA, marking a significant step towards the conclusion of the MRA.

Currently, the C&ED has ratified MRAs with 15 Customs administrations, including Mainland China, India, Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Canada, Mexico, Indonesia, Macao, China, and Bahrain. Under the MRAs, AEOs from the signatory countries or regions enjoy reciprocal trade facilitations including reduced Customs inspection and prioritised clearance. On expansion of the MRA network, the C&ED will continue to accord priority to discussions with the Belt and Road economies, particularly member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Gulf Cooperation Council, as well as African and South American countries.

About 150 guests, including Consuls General of Kazakhstan, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines and Thailand, Honorary Consuls of Bahrain and Iceland, Vice Consul General of Saudi Arabia, customs attachés, representatives from Hong Kong AEO companies, trade associations, and industry stakeholders, attended the ceremony today to witness the ongoing efforts and achievements of the C&ED in enhancing trade facilitation and fostering international customs co-operation.

​Moreover, the Lao Customs delegation visited Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (November 28) to understand the express cargo clearance operations of Hong Kong Customs.

Hong Kong Customs holds HKAEO Certificate Presentation Ceremony 2024 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs holds HKAEO Certificate Presentation Ceremony 2024 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs holds HKAEO Certificate Presentation Ceremony 2024 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs holds HKAEO Certificate Presentation Ceremony 2024 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Transport Department issues pilot licence for autonomous vehicle

The Transport Department (TD) announced today (November 29) that the first pilot licence for autonomous vehicle (AV) has been issued in accordance with section 4(1) of the Road Traffic (Autonomous Vehicles) Regulation (Cap. 374AA).

The applicant of this pilot licence is approved to conduct trial for 10 AVs in North Lantau. In its first phrase, only one autonomous private car will operate in each road test at a specified time on specified road sections between Hong Kong International Airport Car Park 4 and Chek Lap Kok South Road, via Cheong Tat Road, Airport North Interchange, Sky City Road, Third Sky Street, First Sky Street, Sky City Road East, Sky City Interchange, East Coast Road and Scenic Road. During the trial, the backup operator stationed on board shall take over control of the vehicle if necessary. Details of the pilot licence have been uploaded to the TD's website on AV trials (www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/taoav/index.html).

A spokesman for the TD said that upon receipt of an application for the pilot licence, the TD will consider various factors including the design operating range and functions of the autonomous system submitted by the applicant, relevant international or national standards/guidelines, and the road test situations, based on the Code of Practice for Trial and Pilot Use of Autonomous Vehicles before approval. The TD will exercise stringent control with a view to promoting AV trials in Hong Kong in a safe and orderly manner.

To facilitate wider trials and application of AVs by the industry in Hong Kong, the new legislation and regulatory regime for AVs came into operation on March 1, 2024, providing a flexible regulatory framework for AVs. The TD welcomes interested organisations or enterprises to submit applications and act in concert to promote the further development of autonomous driving in Hong Kong.

In addition, the Government launched the $1 billion Smart Traffic Fund in 2021 to provide funding support to local organisations or enterprises for conducting research and application on vehicle-related innovation and technology. To date, 12 approved projects have been related to AVs. The road sections under these trials cover public roads and various application scenarios, such as the West Kowloon Cultural District, the Hong Kong Science Park and individual private residential estates.