Hong Kong Import / Export Declarations?

Hong Kong Import/Export Declarations Guidelines

Requirement of law on Import/Export Declaration

Under the Import and Export (Registration) Regulations, Chapter 60E, of the Laws of Hong Kong, every person who imports or exports/re-exports any article other than an exempted article is required to lodge with the Commissioner of Customs and Excise an accurate and complete import/export declaration within 14 days after the importation or exportation of the article. Prosecution may be initiated against any person who fails or neglects to lodge the required declaration within the specified period, or knowingly or recklessly lodges any declaration that is inaccurate in any material particular. The Census and Statistics Department is authorised by the Commissioner of Customs and Excise to perform duties in relation to import/export declaration in accordance with Section 4 of the Import and Export Ordinance.

Who is Required

Anyone who imports or exports/re-exports any item that is not exempted, including online purchases from or sales to overseas, must submit a declaration.

Submission Method

Import/export declarations should be lodged electronically through the

(i) Three service providers appointed by the Government;

Direct Electronic Declaration Service. Import/export declarations are to be lodged electronically through the following service providers (SPs) appointed by the Government:

(ii) Paper-to-electronic declaration conversion service provided by the service providers.

Paper-to-electronic conversion service for the import/export declarations is provided by SPs through a network of service agents in Hong Kong.  Importers/exporters have to complete a specified paper authorisation form.  The service agents will convert the information on paper into electronic messages and send them to the SPs for onward transmission to the Government.  The processing time for such conversion service required by individual service agents is different and an extra service charge will be incurred.

For more details or enquiry on this service, please approach the service agents direct.  A list of the service agents is given in the Paper-to-Electronic Declaration Conversion Service Network .

Responding to Government Inquiries

If you receive a Declaration Notice from the Government indicating a suspected failure to lodge an import/export declaration, it is important to respond promptly. Whether or not you have already lodged a relevant import/export declaration, it is necessary to reply to these notices promptly. Responses can be made via email, fax, post, or through the Government Form Platform.

Import/Export Declarations Usage

Import/export declarations play a crucial role in compiling trade statistics by the Census and Statistics Department. These declarations provide detailed information on commodity trade, serving as a significant tool in assessing Hong Kong's trade position and influencing key decisions on economic policy both locally and internationally.

Source : https://www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/page_94.html

Last Update: 7 Aug 2024