E-Sea Customs Clearance Scheme(e-SCC Scheme)

The e-SCC Scheme is a scheme currently launching by Customs. It aims to simplify the existing Customs clearance procedures and provide an e-channel for sea freight forwarders to submit advance house bill of lading (inbound/transshipment ocean mode consignments) information through an Excel/CSV file to Customs. We strongly believe such change will bring mutual benefit to both freight forwarders and Customs.

Objectives:

• To provide an electronic mean for house level information submission;
• To simplify the existing house level cargo information procedures by trimming down the issuance of Detention Notice Form 1 (CV) with a view to achieving resources saving and efficiency enhancement for both Customs and forwarders; &
• To avail handy information for Customs to conduct risk profiling with a view to enhancing the efficiency and quality of cargo selection.

Characteristics:

• Registration is on an agreement and voluntary basis;
• No registration and other charges;
• No IT investment;
• No increase in examination rate;
• Withdrawal can be done with one month written notice;
• Easy and flexible submission mode and schedule; &
• No ordinance amendment to maintain flexibility

Detailed changes are illustrated below with the current (Chart 1) and proposed (Chart 2) workflows respectively.

Chart 1. Current Workflow of HBL Submission

Chart 2. Proposed Workflow under e-SCC Scheme

Under e-SCC Scheme, we aim to provide convenience and facilitation for the Forwarding Agents and Logistics Companies joining the Scheme with a view to optimize their operation efficiency with Customs. In order to see a fuller picture, the benefits and costs of joining the Scheme are shown in the table below (Table. 1).

Table 1. Costs and Benefits Analysis

Submission Methods:

• Send an email with specific subject and two attached files, i.e. Header file and HBL file, via email to Customs;
• Header file : Port of receipt/loading, hot/tackle box request, place for devanning, contact person information.
• HBL file : HBL information.

• Customs Email Account : e_house_info@customs.gov.hk
• One email for each vessel;
• Detailed information on email format
• Other house level cargo information e.g. packing list, item summary and authorization letter are required only upon Customs' request (can send a scanned copy through email and under the same email subject).

Submission Schedules (3 Categories of Countries):

More details on the 3 categories of countries could be referred to the tables below (Schedules 1-3).

Schedule 1. Countries - Category A

Schedule 2. Countries - Category B

Schedule 3. Countries - Category C

Detailed Submission Scheme in a week could be referred to the attachment below.
PDF file of the Submission Scheme

The following links provide samples of files to be submitted to Customs under the e-SCC Scheme:

Email format could be referred to the attachment below.
(Attachment: Attachment III - Email Format)

Header File could be referred to the attachment below.
(Attachment: Attachment IV - Header File)

HBL File could be referred to the attachment below.
(Attachment: Attachment VI - HBL File)

Registration Procedure :

• For administrative purpose, forwarder who wish to join e-SCC is required to submit a registration form (see attachment) via email;
  (Attachment: Attachment VII - Registration Form)
• Upon receipt of the registration form, Customs will assign the application with a reference no. and notify forwarder via email; &
• Upon completion of registration, Customs will assign a registration number, for example, e-SCC-0001 and notify forwarder via. email.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any enquiries regarding the e-SCC Scheme.

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