FAQ

1. Q : Does CMA have its representation in the Legislative Council of the HKSAR government? And who is the representative?
   A : CMA has been designated as a functional constituency representing the industry in the Legislative Council. Dr The Hon Lui Ming Wah is elected to sit in the LegCo at present.
   

2. Q : How can I join the CMA membership?
   A : The application procedure is very simple. Just fill in the membership application form, sign and send it together with a Business Registration copy and a cheque to our office. Our Membership Division shall follow the application. For enquiry, please contact Ms Fanny Wong at tel. 2542 8626.
   

3. Q : What’s the difference between Permanent Member, Ordinary Member and Associate Member?
   A : Any Hong Kong company engaged in manufacturing activities and is registered as a factory, or any Hong Kong company being holder of over 25% of the issued share capital of any manufacturing factory in areas other than Hong Kong can apply for admission as Ordinary Member or Permanent Member of the Association. Other registered Hong Kong industrial and commercial organizations, trading companies, overseas factories or commercial organizations can apply for admission as Associate Members.
   

4. Q : Does CMA help members to apply for business travel visa?
   A : We provide business/tourist travel visa application services for members to the USA, Canada and Indonesia with no additional administrative charges. For details, please contact Ms. Ada Liu at tel 2542 8622.
   

5. Q : Can I apply for the CMA credit card?
   A : Any staff member of CMA Members can apply for the CMA Master Card and enjoy perpetual annual fee waiver. For application, please contact our membership division.
   

6. Q : Can you tell me where I can find information of manufacturers in Hong Kong and Mainland China?
   A : For contacts of Hong Kong manufacturers, please visit our website for CMA members and for business opportunities or visit Hong Kong Trade Development Council. For contacts in Mainland China, you can call China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Hong Kong Representative Office at tel 2827 7038.
   

7. Q : Does CMA provide information and services on ISO 9000 and other quality management systems?
   A : CMA Testing and Certification Laboratories (CMA Testing) is an independent and non-profit-making testing institute administered by CMA. The Laboratories provide testing, calibration, ISO 9000 quality management and other technical consultancy services. For details, you can contact CMA Testing at tel no: 2698 8198 or by e-mail info@cmatcl.com , or visit the website http://www.cmatcl.com.
   

8. Q : Can I have the opportunity to join and speak on the latest news of our company’s products/services in one of the CMA seminars?
   A : CMA regularly organizes seminars and talks for members to keep them abreast of the latest market trends. Companies that want to introduce their products/services, please contact Mr Coody Ko (tel no: 2542 8632) or Ms Fanny Wong (tel no: 2542 8626) of the Association for details.
   

9. Q : Can I apply for the SME Training Fund of the government when taking the CMA’s training course?
   A : All training courses organized by the CMA are qualified to apply for the SME Training Fund. In order to assist our participants to apply for the Fund, the CMA will provide our participants with course Attendance Certificate and Application Form of the Fund.
   

10. Q : If we want to join the MPF Scheme, does CMA have an official MPF service provider, and what benefits can we enjoy as a CMA member?
    A : CMA has worked together with Dah Sing Bank to provide members with tailor-made MPF services. Members are entitled to enjoy the exemption of joining fee, free-of-change payroll system and preferential administrative fee. For details, please call Ms Yvonne Chan of Dah Sing Bank at tel: 2507 8585 or by fax: 2598 5052.
    

11. Q : Can CMA help us to find a professional and prudent insurance company for buying Product Liability Insurance?
    A : “Dah Sing Insurance Agency Ltd” is appointed by CMA to provide preferential insurance schemes to CMA members. For details, please call Mr Jack Ng, at tel: 2921 6202 or by fax: 2598 8008.
    

12. Q : Why do traders need to apply Certificate of Origin - Re-export (CR)?
    A : Most exporters need to apply CR for the following reasons:
    a. According to importing country's customs requirements as an evidence to prove the origin of goods.
    b. To fulfill Letter of Credit (LC) requirements.
    c. Requested by importers /buyers as an evidence to prove the origin of goods.
    

13. Q : Is Certificate of Origin- Re-report (CR) enough as a document for customs clearance?
    A : CMA is designated by the HKSAR Government to issue all kinds of certificates of origin under Article 11 of the International Convention and the CRs are recognized by customhouses around the world. However, it does not mean that the customs of the importing country will find the Certificate of Origin - Re-export (CR) as the sole document or enough for clearance especially if the origin of goods is in doubt in their point of view.
    

14. Q : How do I apply for Certificate of Origin - Re-export (CR) and how long does it take?
    A : Apart from the application form and fee, an applicant should produce documentary proof that the goods concerned are qualified for the declared origin according to normal origin rules. Such documentary proof may include certificate of origin from the originating country, commercial invoices issued by the supplier proving the origin of the goods, transport documents (bills of lading, air waybills), export documents (export permit, export customs clearance permit etc.), manufacturer's production records and other proof of origin conferring manufacturing processes being under taken in the declared place of origin.
    
    The Association provides free certificate-typing service and normally it is ready for collection within one working day. Besides, we also provide Express Certification Service to urgent cases or upon customers' request without additional charge.
    

15. Q : If the goods have been partially processed while being re-exported to other countries, are they still qualified for Certificate of Origin - Re-export?
    A : According to the HKSAR's Origin Rules, if goods have gone through processes such as simple diluting, packing, bottling, drying, simple assembling, sorting or decorating etc., they are not regarded as genuine manufacturing processes.
    

16. Q : Do import/export declaration need to be lodged for all personal articles?
    A : An import/export declaration need to be lodged for personal articles when:
    a. Not carried by the travelers as personal baggage, no matter they are for trade or business purpose.
    b. Purchase from overseas for business purpose, even though carried by travelers as personal baggage. 
    c. Postal packet valued at more than HK$4,000.
    

17. Q : Under what circumstances, penalty may be levied on import/export declaration?
    A : Under the Import and Export (Registration) Regulations, every person who imports or exports any article other than an exempted article is required to lodge an accurate and complete import or export/re-export declaration within 14 days (including public holidays) after the importation or exportation of the article. 
    

18. Q : What is the latest news of the coming Hong Kong Products Expo (HKPE)?
    A : The 37th Hong Kong Products Expo (HKPE) will be held from December 14, 2002 to January 6, 2003 at Tamar Site, Central. With the theme of “Hong Kong Brandnames Fantasia”, the Expo aims to encourage Hong Kong manufacturers to establish their own brands so as to enhance their competitiveness. For Expo details, please visit the HKPE website. For participating details, please contact Ms Priscilla Mok at tel 2542 8658.
    

19. Q : What is Hong Kong Awards for Industry? Does CMA organize the Award? How can we participate in the competition?
    A : The Hong Kong Awards for Industry was an annual Awards Scheme established by the government in 1989 to recognize and encourage excellence as well as to promote successful practices and strategies in different aspects of industrial performance. 
    
    The competition is divided into seven categories: namely consumer product design; machinery and equipment design; productivity; quality; environmental performance; export marketing; and technological achievement. CMA is the organizer of the machinery and equipment design award under the scheme.
    
    Winners will be presented with an official trophy by the government and are entitled to display the official logo of the Award on their winning products or company brochures. 
    
    For details, please contact Mr Choy Wing Yue (Tel: 2542 8621) or visit the website http://www.hkpc.org/hkai.
    

20. Q : How can I visit the Chinese Export Commodities Fair (CECF) held in Guangzhou every year?
    A : Hong Kong businessmen can apply for visitor pass from the organizer. The charge per person is HK$100. For details, please contact Solid Channel (HK) Co - CECF Invitation Office (Tel: 2877 1866) or China Travel Service (HK) Ltd. (Tel: 23l5 7l39)