The Ultimate Guide to Moving Household Goods Into Hong Kong
The process of moving household goods into Hong Kong is quite inexpensive as Hong Kong is a duty-free port. Hence, no import taxes or duties are imposed on the things that you bring for your relocation. However, you must be aware of prohibited items and other items that require special import permissions from the state.
Types of Products You Can Import Into Hong Kong
Before learning about the procedures of moving household goods into Hong Kong, we must understand the available types of goods:
Items With Custom Duties
Four types of household goods are subject to import taxes in Hong Kong, whether they are imported or locally manufactured. They are liquor, tobacco, hydrocarbon oils, and methyl alcohol.
Restricted Items
It is illegal to bring drugs and narcotics into Hong Kong.
Items Requiring Special Import Licenses From Government Authorities
- Firearms, Ammunition, and Explosives require a special import license from the Hong Kong Police Department.
- Pets and Live Animals require a license from the Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department.
- Chemicals and Chemical Products require a special license from the Controlled Chemicals Group of the Customs and Excise Department.
- Medicines, Meat, Textiles, etc. require a special license from the Trade Department. Items such as meat and poultry products require a certificate stating that the products are hygienic and healthy.
Customs Procedure
Documents Required for Customs Clearance in Hong Kong
According to the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department’s website, the following documents are required to facilitate customs clearance:
- Manifests.
- Import license.
- Copy of detention notice.
- Bill of lading, invoice, airway bill, packing list, etc.
A company secretary can act as an authorized representative before the Customs Authorities. Similarly, they can maintain all the documents needed for customs clearance.
Cargo Inspection
The Air Cargo Clearance System assists the Customs and Excise Department to provide quick customs clearance for air cargoes.
Similarly, the Road Cargo System (ROCARS) controls the land cargoes and may conduct a full examination of vehicles entering into Hong Kong. Registered shippers or their authorized agents may provide an advance cargo information to the C&ED electronically.
Furthermore, for containerized cargoes transported via ocean vehicles, the department will issue a detention notice asking the container terminal operators and go down operators to submit the cargo manifests for a customs check. Likewise, for containerized cargoes transported via river vehicles, operators are required to remove their cargoes in the area stated by the owners or shipping agents for examination.
Moreover, for non-containerized sea cargoes, the department will assign offers to conduct search and inspection on the vessels or loading spots. The owners or agents of those vessels must submit manifests of the cargoes they are importing.
Company secretaries can ease your job of handling each type of imports. Firstly, they can cooperate with the customs authorities for the proper inspection of imported goods. Secondly, they can help maintain all the formalities for receiving goods from the loading spots. Similarly, they can help maintain proper documentation to make sure all the goods are well received, and none is lost.
Import Declaration
You must fill an import declaration within fourteen days after the import. This is mandatory for all imported goods other than exempted articles. In Hong Kong, each import and export declaration are charged at a cap of $200.
Non-food items requiring a charge of 0.2$ are imposed in the first $46,000 with an additional 0.125$ for each extra $1000 worth. Food items require $0.2 whatever the value of the import.
Company secretaries can help you file your import declaration within the required time frame as delays can lead to penalties.
How Can We Help?
3E Accounting can provide reliable company secretary services in Hong Kong to make your household goods import quick and hassle-free. We make sure your goods are safe, and you are free from any sorts of customs troubles.
With 3E Accounting, moving household goods into Hong Kong has been extremely affordable.
Contact us at +852 5749 4859 or email at in**@3e***.hk if you have any further inquiries.