Import/Export Declaration

• What's New
  • Consultation on 2026 Amendments to the Hong Kong Harmonized System
  • Full list of Hong Kong Harmonized System (HKHS) codes effective from 1 January 2025

• Import/Export Declaration Required?
  • Every person who imports or exports/re-exports any article, including online purchases from or sales to overseas, other than an exempted article is required to lodge the declaration.  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.
    • Exempted Articles

• Submission Method
  • Lodged electronically through the (i) three service providers appointed by the Government; or (ii) paper-to-electronic declaration conversion service provided by the service providers, within 14 days after the importation or exportation of the article.  Penalty of up to $200 will be charged for late lodgment.
    • Service Providers
    • Paper-to-Electronic Declaration Conversion Service Network
    • Brio Electronic Commerce Limited
    • Global e-Trading Services Limited (Ge-TS)
    • Tradelink Electronic Commerce Limited (Tradelink)
    • Late Lodgement Penalty

• Completion of Import/Export Declarations
  • What are Import/Export Declarations?
  • How to Complete and Lodge Import/Export Declarations?
  • Types of Import/Export Declarations
  • Major Data Items in Declarations
  • Classification Method
  • Finding Country/Territory Codes Online

• Finding Commodity Code
  • An appropriate Hong Kong Harmonized System (HKHS) code number for each article must be provided in an Import/Export Declaration.
    • Commodity Classification Publications
    • Finding Commodity Codes Online
    • Commodity Code Enquiry Hotline
    • Commodity Code Enquiry Form

• Declaration Charge and Clothing Industry Training Levy
  • Declaration charge from $0.2 to $200 (plus Clothing Industry Training Levy for exports of Hong Kong manufactured clothing items) is required for each declaration.  It can be paid via the three service providers or using paper-to-electronic declaration conversion service provided by the service providers during the first submission of each import/export declaration.
    • Import/Export Declaration Charges and Clothing Industry Training Levy

• Replying the Notice on Lodgement of Import/Export Declaration
  • Declaration Notices will be issued to persons who are suspected to have failed to lodge import/export declaration.  Regardless if a relevant import/export declaration has been lodged, reply to declaration notices should be made as soon as possible by email, fax or post.
    • Means to Reply to Declaration Notice
    • Reply Form of Notice on Lodgement of Import/Export Declaration
    • Declaration Notice Enquiry Hotline

• Amendment of Submitted Import/Export Declaration
  • Amendment can be made electronically through service providers or using paper-to-electronic declaration conversion service provided by the service providers.  If a wrong type of import/export declaration form was submitted, re-lodgment of a correct import/export declaration is required.
    • Use of Inappropriate Forms of Import and Export Declaration
    • Refund of Declaration Charges

• Useful References / Links and FAQ
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Website of Customs and Excise Department for Cargo Clearance

• Other Services
  • Application for Landing Certificate for Non-dutiable/Non-strategic Commodity
  • Application for Certified Copy of Import/Export Declaration/Cargo Manifest

• Development of Trade Single Window
  • The Government is developing a Trade Single Window (TSW) to provide a one-stop electronic platform for the trading community to lodge import and export trade documents with the Government. TSW will be implemented in three phases, of which Phase 3 will cover the submission of Import/Export Declarations and Cargo Manifests. For further information about the TSW, please visit the official website of TSW.

• Contact Us
  • Import/Export Declaration and Cargo Manifest Enquiry Hotline
  • Enquiries of Census and Statistics Department and Other Links
  • e-Mail Enquiry (Trade-Declaration): trade-declaration@censtatd.gov.hk
  • e-Mail Enquiry (Refund and Recovery): refund-recovery@censtatd.gov.hk

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