According to 2018 statistics, as much as 8% of mainland China’s exports to the U.S. and as much as 6% of imports from the U.S. were routed through Hong Kong.
Hong Kong might be small, but it punches way above its weight in global trade. Ranked the 8th largest merchandise exporter in 2024 and still one of the busiest container ports on the planet, it’s a crossroads for goods moving between Asia, the U.S., and Europe.
If you move goods through China & other Asian countries, there is a strong chance you will have to clear customs in Hong Kong. Thankfully, Hong Kong secures its position as an international trade hub by making it easy & inexpensive to get goods through customs; even after the US tariffs and global trade chaos, Hong Kong remains a duty-free port
A couple of things make Hong Kong special as a trade port, and will influence the steps to get your goods through customs.
In spite of it’s popularity as a trading port, Hong Kong customs is not to be trifled with. If you plan on shipping into, out of, or through Hong Kong, there are a few things you should know.
There are two very different customs experiences in Hong Kong:
Transshipments (goods just passing through)
Full imports (goods being repacked, processed, or sold locally)
Get them mixed up, and you could end up with unexpected paperwork, delays, or fees.
The transshipment import process
Think of transshipment as Hong Kong’s express pass. If your goods are just passing through — sealed, unopened, and headed straight to another market — customs clearance is incredibly streamlined:
No duties or taxes (still duty-free even in 2025, except alcohol, tobacco, hydrocarbon oil).
Minimal paperwork — basically a transshipment manifest and carrier handoff.
No import/export declaration if the cargo stays sealed the whole time.
Faster timelines — Hong Kong’s known for getting containers in and out quickly..
…Versus the normal Hong Kong Customs Process
It’s super important to note that goods destined for final sale in the Hong kong market are not the only ones that need to go through the full official customs process. The moment you break that seal — even if you’re just relabeling or consolidating shipments — your goods are no longer considered “transit only.”
If you are a local importer, you should purchase a license in case you import products that are subject to import duties. Consultants like Santander recommend you purchase a license for each import.
Full customs rules kick in, including:
Filing an import declaration within 14 days of arrival.
Filing an export declaration when goods leave Hong Kong.
Preparing full documentation, including:
Commercial invoices & packing lists
Bills of lading / air waybills
Import/export licenses (if applicable)
Supporting docs (detention notices, permits)
Possible customs inspections or sampling (3–5 days for clearance if selected).
You’ll also be required to provide the following personal documents:
A copy of your passport (photo page)
An authorization letter from yourself
A Copy of Ocean Bill of Lading / Air Waybill
A copy of your packing list in English
Even though Hong Kong doesn’t impose tariffs on most goods, you’ll face handling fees, storage costs, and administrative work. And if you’re importing certain goods — like alcohol, tobacco, certain electronics, or pharmaceuticals — you’ll need special permits.
With regular import schedule for sale in-market, or to be processed in-market after your cargo arrives at the port – before your importer takes possession – your products will be inspected and occasionally sampled by the customs authorities. Once approved, you’ll collect a “release” letter.
Note: Some of your cases may be selected for physical examination. If your consignments are selected to be examined, they will be detained by customs. Customs clearance for air or sea shipments usually takes 3-5 days.
Once your shipment is cleared, you should receive a document to prove that all related duties have been paid and the shipment is clear to proceed.
Please bear in mind, if you want to import prohibited items, a license/permit/certificate will be needed. These can be obtained in advance from the government. Being well-prepared for Hong Kong customs clearance can significantly reduce delays. Ensure you have all relevant documents ready to facilitate a smooth customs clearance process.
Associated costs
Hong Kong does not levy any customs tariff on most imports and levies no tariffs on exports. Hong Kong also doesn’t have any tariff quotas, surcharges, or general services taxes.
Additionally, the Transshipment Facilitation Scheme between Hong Kong and mainland China allows mainland-bound shipments that pass through Hong Kong to have reduced tariffs in China.
This arrangement also covers goods traded between mainland China and certain trading partners including ASEAN members, Australia, Bangladesh, Chile, Costa Rica, Iceland, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Peru, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, and Taiwan.
Duties have to be paid upon delivery of the dutiable goods from the importing carrier or bonded warehouse to the local market. Duty assessments on dutiable goods are made by the Office of Dutiable Commodities Administration.
Finally, no duties are placed on dutiable goods that are sent to bonded warehouses for export or used as ships’ stores onboard ships, aircraft, or trains.
Restricted goods that may require tariffs include but aren’t limited to:
The U.S. has ramped up reciprocal tariffs against countries all over the world. The decisions that happening now and over the next couple of years will create ripple effects in manufacturing and routing decisions, particularly when it comes to East→West trade.
More brands are using Hong Kong as a buffer: Shipments from mainland China get routed through Hong Kong for consolidation or repackaging before heading to the U.S. or EU.
Transshipment vs. full import decisions are now critical for cost control. Keeping goods sealed could help avoid unnecessary paperwork and speed up timelines.
Reshoring & nearshoring trends mean some industries (like automotive and semiconductors) are bypassing Asia entirely, but consumer goods and apparel brands are still heavily reliant on Asian production — making Hong Kong’s role as a logistics gateway even more important.
In conclusion, mastering the Hong Kong customs clearance process is essential for efficient trade operations. By preparing adequately and understanding the requirements, you can ensure your customs clearance starts on the right foot.
Wayfindr Helps Businesses Like Yours through Hong Kong Customs and Beyond
For most businesses, managing the small details like customs can be a major time drain – and a costly one if you don’t know what you’re doing. At Wayfindr (formerly CBIP) we want to help you manage your logistics easily in Hong Kong and beyond with a new kind of service.
We’re a fourth-party logistics provider with years of on-the-ground experience as a freight forwarder and customs broker in Hong Kong. Today, we have a network expanding into ASEAN, Europe, North America, and beyond.
We not only know about customs, but we also have an in-depth list of local logistics providers we can help you arrange into a tailor-made service plan to meet your needs.
Want to learn more about how Wayfinfr helps you with customs clearance services and beyond? Contact us today, and we will get back to you within 24 hours!
About Author
Chris Crutchley
Co-founder & Director
As Wayfindr's Director, he draws on 10+ years of experience in corporate finance and cross-border operations across the Asia Pacific region—helping build the systems behind Wayfindr’s global, carbon-neutral 4PL model.
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