“Made in China” Labels for Hong Kong Imports: US Customs

WASHINGTON, KOMPAS.com – US Customs authorities will require imported goods from Hong Kong to be marked “Made in China” for it to be sold in the United States.

The decision is part of Washington’s punitive response to a sweeping clampdown on the city.

In June, President Donald Trump responded to China’s tough new security law in Hong Kong by removing special trading privileges for the island-state.

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The value of imported goods from Hong Kong to the US totalled $6.3 billion in 2018.

Among the biggest categories of these imports were electrical machinery, precious metals and stones, and plastics.

"With respect to imported goods produced in Hong Kong, such goods may no longer be marked to indicate 'Hong Kong' as their origin, but must be marked to indicate 'China'," said a draft document from US Customs and Border Protection due to be published Tuesday.

Hong Kong said the expected move ignored the city's status as a separate member of the World Trade Organization and violated international trade rules.

"Hong Kong enjoys the unique status as a separate customs territory... which is not granted nor can be revoked by any other country," the city's government said in the statement.

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