Hong Kong eases seafood, fruit and electric car rules to tackle US tariff war

Fresh seafood and fruits arriving by air in Hong Kong for re-export can now be transferred directly to mainland China for clearance as one of several new measures to help the city remain competitive in a tariff-laden global trade environment, the customs chief has said.

Commissioner of Customs and Excise Chan Tsz-tat also told the Post in an exclusive interview that mainland-made electric vehicles (EVs) exported to Hong Kong could now be stored for free at Nansha port in Guangzhou, with the local licence application process beginning during storage to shorten approval times from two weeks to three days.

The measures were among the Customs and Excise Department’s efforts to further remove trade barriers, Chan said.

Hong Kong has been caught in the trade war crossfire between Washington and Beijing, with US President Donald Trump imposing “reciprocal tariffs” on countries around the world since taking office in January this year.

“In our import and export controls, we endeavour to provide the most fair, just, transparent and predictable regulatory environment,” Chan said.

From this month, fresh seafood and fruit products arriving by air in Hong Kong for re-export to the mainland could undergo customs clearance checks and quarantine directly in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, rather than in the city, Chan said.