Imports From Hong Kong Will Be Labeled As ‘Made In China’, Says US Customs

Imports from Hong Kong will be labeled as “Made in China”, according to US customs.

US customs authorities stated that goods that were imported from Hong Kong will be marked “Made in China” in order to be sold in the United States.

The said move was part of Washington’s punitive response to its “sweeping clampdown” on the city.

Hong Kong China customs
Photo from AFP News

In a draft document from US Customs and Border Protection which will be published Tuesday, it said that with respect to the imported goods that were being produced in Hong Kong, such goods must be marked to indicate “China” instead of “Hong Kong” as the origin.

However, Hong Kong said that the expected move ignored the city’s status as a “separate member” of the World Trade Organization and violated the international trade rules.

In a statement from the Hong Kong government, it stated that the city enjoyed its “unique status” as a separate customs territory — which wasn’t granted nor can be revoked by any other country.

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The new rule came at a time of rapidly-deteriorating relations between the United States and China.

The customs document also stated that the move was in accordance with an executive order that was issued by US President Donald Trump last month due to the determination that Hong Kong was “no longer sufficiently autonomous” in order to justify the differential treatment in relation to China.

Moreover, US customs authorities said that a 45-day grace period will be granted to importers following the said announcement in order to allow them time to make sure that no goods were marked “Made in Hong Kong”.

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