Hong Kong
HK · HKG
As of: 7/18/2026
Freihafen / Transshipment-Hub / Luftfracht-Drehkreuz Asiens
Capital: Hong Kong
Sonderverwaltungszone China; eigenes Zollgebiet (WTO-Mitglied)SeefrachtLuftfrachtStrasseImport VAT: Keine Mehrwertsteuer, GST oder Umsatzsteuer (Freihafen). Verbrauchssteuer nur auf Spirituosen über 30 Prozent Alkohol, Tabak, Kohlenwasserstofföl und Methylalkohol.Customs: niedrigRisk: niedrigPharma/Cold Chain: hochDangerous Goods: hochE-Commerce: hoch
Overview
Hong Kong (HK) is a Special Administrative Region of China at the Pearl River Delta, a separate customs territory and one of Asia's foremost free-port and transshipment hubs. There is no import or export duty and no VAT; excise applies only to liquor above 30 percent alcohol, tobacco, hydrocarbon oil and methyl alcohol, and import/export declarations must be lodged with the Customs and Excise Department within 14 days. The key gateways are Hong Kong International Airport (HKG, the world's busiest cargo airport in 2024 with about 4.94 million tonnes) and the Kwai Tsing Container Terminals, with the River Trade Terminal in Tuen Mun linking the Pearl River Delta. By road, the Shenzhen border crossings (Lok Ma Chau, Shenzhen Bay) and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge connect the territory to the mainland. Main cargo includes electronics and electronic components, machinery, jewellery and watches, and pharmaceuticals; leading partners are mainland China, the US, Japan and Taiwan. The FTA network covers CEPA, EFTA (incl. Switzerland) and ASEAN.
Mentioned countries
Area1,106 km²
Population7,527,500
CurrencyHong Kong Dollar (HKD)
Economic areaSonderverwaltungszone China; eigenes Zollgebiet (WTO-Mitglied)
ContinentAsia
ReligionsBuddhismus, Daoismus, Christentum, Islam
ISO codeHK / HKG
Customs & Import/Export
Customs authority
Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department (C&ED)Import system
Freihafen ohne Einfuhrzoll; Import-/Exportdeklaration binnen 14 Tagen beim C&ED Pflicht. Verbrauchssteuer nur auf vier Güter: Spirituosen über 30 Prozent Alkohol (100 Prozent), Tabak, Kohlenwasserstofföl und Methylalkohol.
Export system
Freihafen ohne Ausfuhrzoll; Ausfuhrdeklaration binnen 14 Tagen beim C&ED. Lizenzpflicht für strategische Güter (Dual-Use) nach Import and Export Ordinance Cap. 60 über das Trade and Industry Department.
Import VAT
- Keine Mehrwertsteuer, GST oder Umsatzsteuer (Freihafen). Verbrauchssteuer nur auf Spirituosen über 30 Prozent Alkohol, Tabak, Kohlenwasserstofföl und Methylalkohol.
Customs complexityniedrig
Import documents
- Import-/Ausfuhrdeklaration (binnen 14 Tagen)
- Handelsrechnung
- Packliste
- Konnossement / Luftfrachtbrief
- ggf. Lizenz für kontrollierte Güter
Export documents
- Ausfuhrdeklaration (binnen 14 Tagen)
- Handelsrechnung
- Packliste
- Konnossement / Luftfrachtbrief
- Ursprungszeugnis (FTA)
- ggf. strategische Handelslizenz (TID)
Origin proofs / FTA
Ursprungsnachweise je Abkommen: CEPA (Festlandchina), EFTA (inkl. Schweiz, seit 1.10.2012), ASEAN, Chile, Georgien, Australien, Neuseeland, Peru. Ausstellung über das Trade and Industry Department bzw. zugelassene Stellen.
Restricted & prohibited goods
Genehmigungspflichtig u.a. strategische/Dual-Use-Güter, Waffen und Munition, gefährdete Arten (CITES), Arzneimittel, bestimmte Lebensmittel sowie Links-/Rechtslenker. Vier verbrauchssteuerpflichtige Güter.
Export controls & sanctions
Strategische Handelskontrolle nach Import and Export Ordinance Cap. 60 und Strategic Commodities Regulations; TID-Lizenz je Sendung, C&ED-Vollzug. Listen an Wassenaar, NSG, MTCR, Australia Group und CWC angelehnt.
Without warranty — always verify with freight forwarder/customs agent and official authorities.
Customs / Import / Export (Asia) — General process
Quick operational overview for international shipments to Asia. Product requirements, certificates, and clearance processes can vary significantly by destination.
Documents (typical)
Process (simplified)
- Prepare export (docs, HS code, origin)
- Import clearance in destination country (declaration, possible checks)
- Release and delivery; duties/taxes according to classification and value
Important: Requirements depend on goods, origin, Incoterms, value, and consignee. When in doubt, confirm with your broker/forwarder and official sources.
Official links
Note: regional/general sources. Country-specific authority links will be added iteratively.
Trade
Freight Infrastructure & Transport Network
Transport relevance
Air
highSea
highRoad
mediumRail
lowInland Waterway
mediumCargo airports
- Hong Kong International Airport (HKG / Chek Lap Kok)
Seaports / access ports
- Kwai Tsing Container Terminals
- River Trade Terminal (Tuen Mun)
- Mid-Stream-/Buchten-Umschlag
Road corridors & border crossings
- Hongkong - Shenzhen (Grenzuebergaenge Lok Ma Chau / Shenzhen Bay)
- Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge
Top trade lanes
- Hongkong - Festlandchina
- Hongkong - USA
- Hongkong - Japan
- Hongkong - ASEAN
Risk & Operational Notes
Logistics riskniedrig
Customs delay riskniedrig
Port congestion riskniedrig bis mittel
Risk notes
Effizienter Freihafen mit geringem Zollrisiko. Containerumschlag rückläufig wegen Konkurrenz der Festlandhäfen. Geopolitik: USA behandeln Hong Kong exportkontrollrechtlich seit 2020 wie das Festland.
Seasonal & weather risks
Taifunsaison Mai bis November; Signal-8-Warnungen können Hafen- und Flughafenbetrieb kurzzeitig stoppen. Subtropisches Klima mit heissen, feuchten Sommern.
Current logistics notes
HKIA war 2024 weltweit grösster Frachtflughafen (4,94 Mio Tonnen, plus 14,1 Prozent) mit Dreibahnsystem. Hafen rund 13,7 Mio TEU 2024 und rund 13,0 Mio TEU 2025. Keine landesweite Störung verifiziert (Stand 2026-07-18).
As of: 2026-07-18
Operational notes – no claim to completeness. Verify with your freight forwarder and official sources.
Public holidays
As of: Jul 18, 2026
| Date | Holiday | Type | Customs closed | Transport affected | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2026 | New Year's Day | National | |||
| Feb 17, 2026 | Lunar New Year's Day | National | Chinese New Year: multi-day slowdown in cross-border traffic with the mainland, cargo surge beforehand; book early. | ||
| Feb 18, 2026 | The second day of Lunar New Year | National | |||
| Feb 19, 2026 | The third day of Lunar New Year | National | |||
| Apr 3, 2026 | Good Friday | National | |||
| Apr 4, 2026 | The day following Good Friday | National | |||
| Apr 6, 2026 | The day following Ching Ming Festival (substitute) | National | Ching Ming 2026 falls on a Sunday; the following day is the substitute holiday. | ||
| Apr 7, 2026 | The day following Easter Monday (additional holiday) | National | Additional holiday because the Ching Ming substitute day 2026 coincides with Easter Monday. Long Easter break 3-7 April 2026. | ||
| May 1, 2026 | Labour Day | National | |||
| May 25, 2026 | The day following the Birthday of the Buddha (substitute) | National | |||
| Jun 19, 2026 | Tuen Ng Festival | National | |||
| Jul 1, 2026 | HKSAR Establishment Day | National | |||
| Sep 26, 2026 | The day following the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival | National | |||
| Oct 1, 2026 | National Day | National | Coincides with mainland Golden Week; plan cross-border traffic and bookings early. | ||
| Oct 19, 2026 | The day following Chung Yeung Festival (substitute) | National | |||
| Dec 25, 2026 | Christmas Day | National | |||
| Dec 26, 2026 | The first weekday after Christmas Day | National |
New Year's Day
Jan 1, 2026
Customs closed
Lunar New Year's Day
Feb 17, 2026
Customs closedTransport affected
Chinese New Year: multi-day slowdown in cross-border traffic with the mainland, cargo surge beforehand; book early.
The second day of Lunar New Year
Feb 18, 2026
Customs closedTransport affected
The third day of Lunar New Year
Feb 19, 2026
Customs closedTransport affected
Good Friday
Apr 3, 2026
Customs closed
The day following Good Friday
Apr 4, 2026
Customs closed
The day following Ching Ming Festival (substitute)
Apr 6, 2026
Customs closed
Ching Ming 2026 falls on a Sunday; the following day is the substitute holiday.
The day following Easter Monday (additional holiday)
Apr 7, 2026
Customs closed
Additional holiday because the Ching Ming substitute day 2026 coincides with Easter Monday. Long Easter break 3-7 April 2026.
Labour Day
May 1, 2026
Customs closed
The day following the Birthday of the Buddha (substitute)
May 25, 2026
Customs closed
Tuen Ng Festival
Jun 19, 2026
Customs closed
HKSAR Establishment Day
Jul 1, 2026
Customs closed
The day following the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival
Sep 26, 2026
Customs closed
National Day
Oct 1, 2026
Customs closedTransport affected
Coincides with mainland Golden Week; plan cross-border traffic and bookings early.
The day following Chung Yeung Festival (substitute)
Oct 19, 2026
Customs closed
Christmas Day
Dec 25, 2026
Customs closed
The first weekday after Christmas Day
Dec 26, 2026
Customs closed
Tolls & charges
As of: Jul 18, 2026
HKeToll (Tunnelmaut)
TunnelOperator: Transport Department HKSAR
Registration required
truck, articulated, all
Paperless free-flow tolling (HKeToll) at road tunnels (incl. Cross-Harbour, Eastern/Western Harbour tunnels): detection via toll tag or number plate, no toll booths. Rates depend on tunnel and vehicle class; time-varying tolls at the harbour tunnels. No nationwide distance-based truck toll.
Sources: Transport Department HKSAR / HKeToll
Airports in this country
Hong Kong International Airport
HKG · Hong Kong
Shek Kong Air Base
Shek Kong
Black Point Power Station Helipad
Tuen Mun
CLP Tsing Yi Base Helipad
Kwai Tsing
Cape Collinson Prison Heliport
Eastern District
HKGFS Wan Chai Heliport
Wan Chai
Hong Kong Sea School Heliport
Southern
Kadoorie Base Heliport
Yuen Long
Kowloon Hills Heliport
Tai Wai
Kowloon Peak Heliport
Wong Tai Sin
Lead Mine Pass Helipad
Tsuen Wan
Man Kam To Helipad
North District
Latest News
More content for this country
As content becomes available, additional information and articles will automatically appear here.
Sources & Data Confidence
hochVerified: 2026-07-18
Official sources
- customs.gov.hk
- tid.gov.hk
- censtatd.gov.hk
- hongkongairport.com
Source references without warranty. For legal/tax decisions consult official authorities.
FAQ
Does Hong Kong levy customs duty or VAT on imports?
No. Hong Kong is a free port and levies no import duty, VAT, GST or sales tax. Excise duty applies only to four commodities: liquor above 30 percent alcohol, tobacco, hydrocarbon oil and methyl alcohol.
Is a customs declaration still required despite the free port status?
Yes. Anyone importing or exporting goods must lodge an import or export declaration with the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department within 14 days, even when no duty is payable.
How are strategic and dual-use goods handled?
Strategic goods require a per-consignment licence from the Trade and Industry Department under the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60) and the Strategic Commodities Regulations, enforced by the C&ED. The control lists follow Wassenaar, NSG, MTCR, the Australia Group and the CWC.
How important is Hong Kong's airport for air cargo?
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) was the world's busiest cargo airport in 2024, handling about 4.94 million tonnes. The new three-runway system further increases capacity.
How significant is the port of Hong Kong?
The port handled about 13.7 million TEU in 2024 and about 13.0 million TEU in 2025, most of it at the Kwai Tsing Container Terminals. Volumes are declining due to competition from mainland ports.
Which free trade agreements apply to Hong Kong?
Hong Kong has CEPA with the mainland plus free trade agreements with EFTA (incl. Switzerland, since 1 Oct 2012), ASEAN, Chile, Georgia, Australia, New Zealand and Peru. As a separate customs territory it is an individual WTO member.
What seasonal risks affect logistics?
The typhoon season runs from May to November. When typhoon signal 8 or higher is hoisted, port and airport operations and road traffic can be suspended temporarily.
Which trade partners are important for Hong Kong?
Which logistics terms are especially relevant for Hong Kong?
For international shipments, these terms are a good quick start:
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