Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR)

Selling and buying

Reaching the consumers

Marketing opportunities

Consumer behavior: The purchasing behavior of consumers in Hong Kong is determined by the price, the quality, the specific technical aspects and the after-sales service. Consumers want very good quality products at competitive prices. The brand name is a factor when making a purchasing decision as it is a guarantee of quality for consumers.
The people of Hong Kong are exposed to English and western culture. Therefore they have no preference between national products and foreign goods. In the field of advertising, for example, brand names will choose both Asian and western celebrities to represent them.
Consumer profile and purchasing power: The people of Hong Kong are well-informed consumers. They like original products which are generally Korean or Japanese goods. Dietary supplements are products which people are buying more and more in Hong Kong, as consumers are concerned with their health and well-being.
Consumers associations

Distributing a product

Evolution of the sector
Organizations in the retail sector

Market access procedures

International Conventions: Member of World Trade Organisation
Non tariff barriers: Despite the retrocession of Hong-Kong to China on July 1st, 1997, the Special Administrative Region of Hong-Kong ( HKSAR) maintained its customs regulations. Therefore, the territory of Hong-Kong maintains its status of free harbour and remains separate from China's customs territory, preserving its participation in international organisations and international trade agreements.
Import licenses are required for the following products:
- Certain chemicals such as those defined in the Control of Chemicals Ordinance. The license application should be made with the Controlled Chemicals section of the Customs and Excise Department.
- Pharmaceutical products: licence should be applied for at the Trade licensing Branch Non-Textiles Licensing Section of the Trade Department.
- Living animals: a preliminary licence should be applied for at the Licensing Unit of agriculture, Fisheries and conservation Department.
- Plants are also subject 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, importers should apply for a licence with the Non-Restrained Textiles, Trade Department.
- " Reserved Commodities " (rice, frozen meat, frozen poultry): import licences issued by the Reserved Commodities Unit of Trade Department, are given only to companies registered with the Trade Department. Moreover, the imported goods should be accompanied with a sanitary certificate issued by the country of origin.
- Meat and poultry: import has to be authorised by the Hygiene Section of the Department of Health.
- Radio equipment is also subject to the control of the Inspection and Licensing Subsection of the Office of the Telecommunications Authority.
- Import of vehicles.
- Alcohol drinks.
- Tobacco.
- Oil productions.
Licenses for these 4 categories are issued by the Customs and Excise Department.
Customs classification: Hong-Kong applies the Harmonised Custom Systems. The imports are managed by Customs and Excise Department. Due to its status of Free harbour, Hong-Kong does not impose customs duties on the entry of the general goods on its territory.
Import procedures: Hong-Kong applies the Harmonised Custom Systems. The imports are managed by Customs and Excise Department. Due to its status of Free harbour, Hong-Kong does not impose customs duties on the entry of the general goods on its territory.
For further information