Trade Facilitation

$8,197.3 billion

Total external merchandise trade in 2020

World's No.1

Cargo Airport

World's No.9

For border clearance efficiency (1)

Source: [1] World Economic Forum: Global Competitiveness Report, 2019

Hong Kong is a free port and does not impose any tariffs. Hong Kong is renowned for its customs clearance efficiency. Over the years, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has put in place various measures to enhance customs clearance efficiency and expedite cargo flow while maintaining effective controls. Our latest initiatives include:

Trade Single Window

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (the Government) is pressing ahead with the development of a Trade Single Window (TSW) to provide a one-stop electronic platform for lodging various types of import and export trade documents with the Government for trade declaration and customs clearance purposes.

The Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, the Customs and Excise Department (which operates the TSW), and a number of other Government departments have been working together to roll out the TSW in three phases. Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the TSW are in full service and are operating smoothly, covering a total of 42 types of trade documents which are mainly for the import and export of specific controlled products. Phase 3 will cover the Import and Export Declaration, submissions of cargo information including Advance Cargo Information, Cargo Manifest and Cargo Report in respect of different transport modes, and applications for the Certificate of Origin and Permit for Dutiable Commodities. Development of the information technology system of Phase 3 is underway, and the target is to roll out the services in batches from 2026.

For more details about the TSW in Hong Kong and its latest development, please click here*.

Hong Kong Authorised Economic Operator Programme

Accredited Hong Kong Authorised Economic Operators enjoy customs clearance facilitation in the form of reduced and prioritised customs clearance in Hong Kong and other economies with mutual recognition arrangements with Hong Kong. Participation in the Programme is free-of-charge and voluntary. The Programme is premised on the SAFE Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade promulgated by the World Customs Organization.

Single E-lock Scheme

The Single E-lock Scheme streamlines the customs inspection process of inter-modal cargoes traveling between Hong Kong and Guangdong Province. With the aid of technology, it provides assurance that goods are not tampered with in the transportation process, reducing the need for repeated inspections on the same cargo by customs authorities on either side of the boundary. By expediting cargo flows, the Scheme plays a role in implementing the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development Plan.

Free Trade Agreement Transhipment Facilitation Scheme

The Free Trade Agreement Transhipment Facilitation Scheme facilitates goods passing through Hong Kong to enjoy tariff concessions provided under Free Trade Agreements between the Mainland of China and other economies. Customs supervision service and Certificate of Non-manipulation are provided under the Scheme to certify that relevant cargoes have not undergone processing during their stay in Hong Kong.

Visit the Customs and Excise Department to learn more about the Hong Kong SAR Government’s trade facilitation measures.

Last revision date: 25 September 2024