Country Guide: Hong Kong

Updated: November 25, 2015

Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

  • Copy of Passport (identification pages only)
  • Original Bill of Lading (OBL) / Air Waybill (AWB)
  • Detailed inventory
  • Shipper’s full contact details in Hong Kong (address, telephone, fax number, email address, etc.)

 

Specific Information

  • All household goods and personal effects can be imported free of duty.

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

  •  Original vehicle documentation
  • Original Purchase Invoice
  • Insurance Certificate
  • Certificate of Registration (must show boat dimensions)
  • Import Declaration

 

Specific Information

  • Certificate of Registration must be submitted to Marine Department for application of import permit within 24 hours from arrival of effects.
  • Left-hand drive cars cannot be imported.
  • All vehicles are subject to strict regulatory inspections and high first registration taxes.
  • Taxes are set to discourage the personal import of vehicles; it is highly recommended that an estimate of costs before shipping a vehicle.
  • First registration fee is based on value, as follows:
    • Private Cars:
      • From value HK$ 0 to 150,000: 40%
      • On the next HK$150,000 : 75%
      • On the next HK$200,000 : 100%
      • On the remainder : 115%
    • Motorbikes:
      • 35% of value
  • All vehicles must comply with the Exhaust and Noise Emissions Standard.
  • Approval / exemption from the Environmental Protection Department before shipping vehicles into Hong Kong are advised.
  • Vehicles must satisfy local standards.
  • It is difficult to obtain insurance for vehicles older than 10 years.

Pets

Documents Required

  • Import Permit
  • Health Certificate from origin country

 

Specific Information

  • Quarantine is not required for dogs imported directly from the United Kingdom.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

  • Plants and plant products (special license is required)
  • Weapons and ammunition (special license issued by the Hong Kong Police Department is required)
  • Alcohol (detailed list showing quantity and CIF value is required). See additional information. o Duty is payable on the CIF value depending on the liquor and the alcoholic strength: − Liquors with an alcoholic rate of more than 30% – 100 % duty − Liquors and wine with an alcoholic rate below 30% are Zero rated for duty − Wine is duty free.
  • Tobacco (passengers age 18 and older may bring the following limited quantities free of duties):
    • Cigarettes (19), cigar (1 or 25 grams, other manufactured tobacco (25 grams)

Prohibited Items

  • Illegal drugs
  • Firearms, explosives and ammunition (permission required)
  • Knives and deadly weapons
  • Controlled chemicals
  • Pets and animals (permission required)
  • Meat and poultry
  • Rough diamonds
  • Counterfeit goods
  • Pornographic material

Consignment Instructions

Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.
 

Helpful Website(s):

http://www.customs.gov.hk/en/home/index.html

http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/acs_hkvisa.html

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2747.htm