Hong Kong issues guidance on import and export of encryption products  

The Strategic Trade Controls Branch of Hong Kong’s Trade and Industry Department has released an updated circular outlining the licensing requirements on the import and export of encryption products (8 May). The circular covers:

• Details of the legal basis for imposing licensing control over strategic commodities, the Import and Export (Strategic Commodities) Regulations (‘the Regulations’) made under the Import and Export Ordinance, Chapter 60;
• Information on the controlling regime, the Wassenaar Arrangement;
• Exemptions to control over encryption products;
• Licensing procedures;
• A reminder that the export control rules on encryption products of the originating country need to considered;
• How the licence is issued;
• Licence conditions;
• Details of the pre-classification service;
• A reminder that end-use control is imposed under Schedules 3 and 4 of the Regulations;
• A reminder of the penalties for exporting without the appropriate licence as set out in Section 6A of the Import and Export Ordinance.

The Hong Kong Strategic Trade Controls Circular No 6/2018 can be found here:
https://www.stc.tid.gov.hk/english/circular_pub/2018_stc06.html