Import and Export Regulations — EU

The European Union consists of 15 developed countries in Western Europe: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. All EU member states adopt a unified trade policy, allowing goods to be imported freely, with import visas required only in a few cases, such as to comply with relevant EU trade agreement terms and to meet the needs of individual importing countries.

According to the EU's "New Approach to Technical Harmonization," certain products must meet specific quality standards. This directive applies to toy safety, machinery, electromagnetic compatibility, telecommunications terminal equipment, active implantable medical devices, medical devices, non-automatic weighing instruments, construction products, explosion-proof electrical equipment, low-voltage electrical equipment, simple pressure vessels, personal protective equipment, and gas appliances. Conforming products must bear the CE mark to indicate compliance. This mark is affixed to the product by the manufacturer or importer, who declares the product's conformity through a self-declaration process.

Manufacturers must pay attention to complying with EU product liability law. This law covers product defects that consumers cannot normally foresee, and stipulates that both sellers within the EU and manufacturers of the product are legally liable.

As of May 1, 1998, Hong Kong is no longer eligible for the EU's Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) tariff preferences. However, certain products originating from mainland China still enjoy GSP tariff benefits within the EU. Nevertheless, mainland Chinese products shipped via Hong Kong must be accompanied by a "Certificate of Non-Manipulation" to demonstrate that no further processing has occurred in Hong Kong, in order to qualify for these benefits. The "Certificate of Non-Manipulation" is issued by China Inspection Company Limited.

Products exported to the EU are subject to relevant import duties (usually levied on the CIF value of the imported goods), as well as value-added tax (VAT) according to the regulations of different importing countries. The standard VAT rates are: Austria 20%; Belgium 21%; Denmark 25%; Finland 22%; France 20.6%; Germany 16%; Greece 18%; Ireland 21%; Italy 19%; Netherlands 17.5%; Portugal 17%; Spain 16%; Sweden 25%; United Kingdom 17.5%.

The EU has imposed emergency controls on the Asian long-horned beetle carried in wooden packaging material originating from mainland China. Effective from June 10, 1999, all shipments dispatched from mainland China (including those transshipped via Hong Kong) are affected by this new measure.

The European Commission has submitted a draft proposal to revise the EU Directive 76/769/EEC concerning restrictions on azo dyes. The proposal lists products that should be banned from containing azo dyes, including clothing, bedding, towels, footwear, wallets/purses, briefcases, chair covers, toys, etc. Revising this directive marks a significant step for the EU in banning azo dyes and products containing azo dye components exceeding stipulated standards. The proposal recommends using the German testing method. EU member states currently prohibiting products containing azo dyes include the Netherlands, Austria, and Germany.

The EU has announced further developments in its Eco-label scheme, which now applies to 219 product categories, specifically requiring footwear, textiles, and personal computers to be ECO labelled. Exporters wishing to sell their goods to member states of the ECO label scheme must urge suppliers to strictly follow EU eco-friendly production methods to comply with the criteria for obtaining the ECO label. For Hong Kong exporters, it is advisable to check, before shipping products to the EU, whether the manufacturing methods comply with the ECO label criteria. To obtain a detailed list of product groups subject to the ECO label scheme, please visit the EU website.

In terms of environmental protection, manufacturers must also comply with the "Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive." This directive establishes general standards for waste recovery and recycling. Shipments to the EU should minimize the use of packaging materials.

The EU directive establishes the principle of product liability, stipulating that if a product is defective and causes damage to a consumer, the producer is at fault. This principle applies to all agricultural products and consumer goods containing movable parts. A consumer injured by a defective product has the right to claim compensation within 3 years from the date they become aware of the injury, discover the product's defect, and learn the identity of the producer. The product's producer, importer, and retailer are all responsible for the damage and must compensate the injured party.

Starting from July 1, 2000, the European Commission immediately banned imported cosmetics tested on animals. Additionally, the EU will prohibit all testing of cosmetic ingredient components on animals three years after the implementation of the guideline.