Distributing a product

Evolution of the sector

Retail sale represents 31.8 billion USD.

Market shares

There are 2 distinct categories of consumers in Hong Kong : on one hand the local consumer, who are 6.5 million in number, and on the other hand tourists, lovers of luxury goods (tourism generates more than 10 billion USD of income each year).
It is to be noted that the tourists coming for`shopping` are mainly Chinese from the Mainland.
The Distribution network consists of several small and medium family type enterprises who tend to be grouped together. The large stores like Lane Crawford, Seibu or Sogo display an upscale image whereas the supermarkets and neighbourhood stores as Wing on, Sincere and Jusco are more suitable for bulk products. The latter market being dominated by the duopoly - Park'n shop and Wellcome. Discount stores are also present in Hong Kong and are suited for products with low shelf life.
Other neighbourhood stores present extensively on the territory are 7/11 and Circle K, small stores with less range, for convenience and small volume purchases. These stores are open 24/24 hours.
It is to be also noted that Manning`s and Watson are more sophisticated and positioned for hygiene, beauty, home care and baby products.

Organizations in the retail sector

Hong Kong Retail Management Association(HKRMA)

We can identify professional tradeshows on your sector.

Market access procedures

International Conventions

Member of World Trade Organisation

Main International economic cooperation

Member of APEC. Hong Kong has signed a free trade agreement (CEPA) with New Zealand.

Non tariff barriers

Inspite of the retrocession of Hong Kong to China on 1st July 1997, the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong (HKSAR) has maintained its customs regulation. Thus, the territory of Hong Kong keeps its free port status and remains a customs area separate from the rest of China, preserving its participation in international bodies and its international trade agreements.

Import licenses are needed for the following products :
- Some chemical products defined in the Chemical Products Control Ordinance. The requests for licence should be made at Controlled Chemicals Group of the Customs and Excise Department.
- Pharmaceutical Products: licenses should be requested from Trade licensing Branch Non-Textiles Licensing Section of the Trade Department.
- Live Animals: a prior licence should be requested from Licensing Unit of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
- Plants are also subjected to a licence issued by the Plant and pesticides Regulatory Division of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
- Textiles: if they are not registered with the Textile Traders Registration Scheme, the importers should make a request for licence at Non-Restrained Textiles, Trade Department.
- "Reserved Commodities" (rice, frozen meat, frozen poultry): import licences issued by Reserved Commodities Unit of Trade Department, are only issued to companies registered with the Trade Department. In addition, imported goods should be accompanied by a health certificate issued by the country of origin.
- Meat and Poultry: import should be authorised by the Hygiene Division of the Department of Health.
- Telecommunication equipments are also subjected to control of Inspection and Licensing Subsection of the Office of the Telecommunications Authority.
- Import of vehicles.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Tobacco.
- Petroleum products.
Licences for these 4 categories are obtained from the Customs and Excise Department.

Customs duties and taxes on imports

In conformity with the status of Free Port, Hong-Kong does not impose customs duty on entry of general goods in its territory. Only some goods are subjected to payment of the following duties:
- Tobacco: tax calculated on the volume.
- Spirits (alcohol 30%): 100% of the CIF value.
- Wines: from 60% of the CIF value to 0% in 2008.
- Beer: 30% of the CIF value
- Petroleum products: tax calculated on both volume and value
For further information visit the Customs website.

Customs classification

Hong-Kong applies the Harmonised Customs System.

Import procedures

When a cargo arrives at the port, even before the importer has taken possession, the products are inspected and occasionally sampled by the customs authorities. Once approved, the importer collects a “release” letter .
It is to be noted that the importer should file an "import declaration" with the "Customs and Excise Department", within 14 days from the import.

Importing samples

An inscription on the product should specify if it is a free sample and that it cannot be sold. The samples can be distributed freely.

For further information

Customs
HK Trade Development Council
Trade and Industry Department
Government of Hong Kong

We can indicate you which are the customs duties applied to your product.

Find out the local taxes that apply to your product.

Organizing goods transport

Main useful means of transport

HK is one of the most important logistics centre of Asia. It is the first ranked airport in terms of freight and third largest container port in the world.
Hong Kong port is probably the first ranked container port of the world with 24 million of TEU (Twenty feet Equivalent Unit) handled. 245 million tons of goods have transitted through Hong Kong each year. Its strategic position makes it the port of access to the Chinese market as well as an unavoidable transit point for international trade. Shipowners from Hong Kong control around 6% of the world's fleet.
Hong Kong airport has handled 3.7 millions tons of freight.

Ports

Hong Kong Port

Airports

Hong Kong Airport

Sea transport organizations

Marine Department

Air transport organizations

Hong Kong Airport Authority

Road transport organizations

Transport Department
Highways Department

Rail transport organizations

Transport Department

Get a ballpark figure for transportation costs for your product in this country through a shipping estimate.

Identifying a supplier

Type of production

The industry contributes around 9% of the GDP. Textiles and electronic components industries are the most important.
The electronics industry is also immature because of lack of governmental support contrary to Taiwan, Singapore and South Korea. But a revival of interest in high-tech activities in the present administration has begun. The authorities want to make HK the potential center for software and information technology industry.

Business directories

Yellow and White pages
Business-directory

Manufacturers associations of the main industries

Hong Kong Electronic Industry Association
Hong Kong Textile Council
Hong Kong Environmental Industry Association
Information and Software Industry Association

Trade Agencies and their representations abroad

Chamber of commerce of Hong Kong

Enterprises federation

Hong Kong Small and Medium Enterprises Association
Hong Kong Small and Medium Enterprises General Association
SME Center of Trave Development Council
Funds for SMEs

Standards

National standards organizations

Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC)

Integration in the international standards network

International Standards Organisation(ISO),
International Electronic Commission (IEC).
Pacific Area Standards Congress (PAS)
APEC Sub-committee.

Classification of standards

Online consultation of standards

List of different standards on the ITC website.

Certification organizations

List of different organisations

Find out the standards and labelling requirements that apply to your products.

Intellectual Property

National organizations

Intellectual Property Department for patents and trademarks

Regional organizations

Consult the list of the Intellectual Property Department

International membership

Member of the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization)
Signatory to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Intellectual Property
Membership to the TRIPS agreement - Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)