Exporting to Hong Kong: Rules & regulations.

Hong Kong applies a free trade policy and is one of the largest trading centres. To export to Hong Kong, there are certain rules and regulations that you must comply with.

This guide uncovers more about exporting goods to Hong Kong.

What is the procedure for products entering Hong Kong?

For products exported from other countries and entering Hong Kong, the importer must complete customs clearance and import declaration with the Customs and Excise Department in Hong Kong.

Documentation required may depend on the exporting country and also the bilateral and unilateral trade agreements and other trade policies by the Hong Kong government.

Customs clearance

Products imported via air, land or sea are subject to customs control and are inspected by the customs authority.

The importer must submit a Removal Permit to the Customs and Excise Department to clear imported goods.

The documents needed for customs clearance are:

• Manifests
• Import/export license or removal permit
• Copy of detention notice (if applicable)
• Bill of lading
• Airway bill
• Invoice
• Packing list

According to the Import and Export Manifests Notice, an import manifest should include the following particulars:

1. Cargo in packages:

• If the cargo is:
  • Carried by vessel, the number, description, gross weight and gross volume of the packages.
  • Carried by other than a vessel, the number, description and either the gross weight or the gross volume of the packages.
• Distinguishing marks or numbers appearing on each package
• Description of the articles contained in each package
• Name and address of the consignor of each package
• Name and address of the consignee of each package
• Place which each package was loaded in or onto the vessel, aircraft or vehicle
• The reference number and letters of the bill of lading, airway bill or air consignment note issued in respect of the consignment of each package
• A clear indication of whether or not the cargo is transhipment cargo
• Import license number, where applicable
• Name, date of arrival and the voyage, flight or vehicle number of the carrying vessel, aircraft or vehicle
• Container numbers, if the cargo is containerised, and a clear indication of whether or not such containers are refrigerated containers.

1. Cargo in bulk:

• If the cargo is:
  • Carried by vessel, the description, gross weight and gross volume of the cargo.
  • Carried by other than a vessel, the description and either the gross weight or the gross volume of the cargo.
• The quantity of the cargo, where applicable
• Distinguishing marks or numbers appearing on each cargo
• Name and address of the consignor of the cargo
• Name and address of the consignee of the cargo
• Place which the cargo was loaded in or onto the vessel, aircraft or vehicle
• The reference number and letters of the bill of lading, airway bill or air consignment note issued in respect of the consignment of the cargo
• A clear indication of whether or not the cargo is transhipment cargo
• Import license number, where applicable
• Name, date of arrival and the voyage, flight or vehicle number of the carrying vessel, aircraft or vehicle
• Container numbers, if the cargo is containerised, and a clear indication of whether or not such containers are refrigerated containers.

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Declaration submission

The importer should lodge an import declaration to the Customs and Excise Department within 14 days from the importation of any goods unless the good is exempted.

There are six types of declaration forms, which are:

1. General imports – Form 1
2. Import of food items -Form 1A
3. Import of articles exempted from declaration charge – Form 1B
4. General exports or re-exports – Form 2
5. Exports of Hong Kong made clothing and footwear items specified in Schedule 1 to the Industrial Training (Clothing Industry) Ordinance – Form 2A
6. Export/re-export of articles exempted from declaration charge – Form 2B

The declaration can be lodged by the following methods:

1. Direct electronic declaration service

Declarations can be lodged through the following three service providers appointed by the government:

• Brio Electronic Commerce Limited (Brio)
• Global e-Trading Services Limited (Ge-TS)
• Tradelink Electronic Commerce Limited (Tradelink)

If the declaration is approved by the service provider’s system, the importer will receive an acknowledgement message, and the declaration will be sent to the government’s system.

If the declaration is rejected by the system, an error message will be sent, and the importer must re-submit the declaration.

1. Paper-to-electronic conversion service via specified agents

Importers need to complete an authorisation form which the service agents will convert the information on the paper into an electronic message. It will then be sent to the service providers and transferred to the government’s system.

Controlled and prohibited goods in Hong Kong

There are certain articles that are controlled and prohibited to export to Hong Kong under the Import and Export Ordinance, Chapter 60, Laws of Hong Kong and other laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Any person who is importing controlled and prohibited goods must obtain the required licenses and permits (insert link to setting up a trading company in Hong Kong) from the relevant authorities.

Controlled and prohibited items in Hong Kong are:

• Animals and plants (live animals, plants and plants pests, endangered animals and plants, animal carcass and product)
• Chinese herbal medicines and proprietary Chinese medicines
• Controlled chemicals
• Dangerous drugs
• Dutiable Commodities (liquor, tobacco, hydrocarbon oil and methyl alcohol)
• Explosives
• Firearms and ammunition
• Food
• Game, meat, poultry and eggs
• Hazardous chemicals
• Infectious goods
• Motor vehicles
• Optical disc mastering and replication equipment
• Ozone-depleting substances
• Pesticides
• Pharmaceutical products and medicines
• Prescribed articles
• Radio transmitting equipment
• Radioactive substances and irradiating apparatus
• Rice, frozen or chilled meat and poultry
• Rough diamonds
• Sand (more than 100kg requires a permit)
• Smokeless tobacco products
• Strategic commodities
• Waste
• Weapons

For more detailed information, continue reading here.

Conclusion

When exporting products to Hong Kong, you must ensure you follow the rules and regulations and correctly file any required lodgements to be able to bring the goods into Hong Kong. For more advice, do not hesitate to contact Acclime.