DHL HONG KONG FACT SHEET

H O N G KO N G

New Territories

Lantau Island Hong Kong Island

Tai O

Chung Hau

Kowloon

Aberdeen

Stanley

Hoi Ha

Lo Wu

CHINA

Major City

KEYCapital City

Country Profile

Population 7.1 million

Area 1,104 sq km

Currency 1 Hong Kong dollar (HKD) = 100 cent

GDP US $381.7 billion (2013 est.)

LanguagesCantonese (official), English (official), Putonghua (Mandarin), other Chinese dialects, other

Ethnic Groups Chinese 93.6%, Filipino 1.9%, Indonesian 1.9%, other 2.6%

Source: CIA World Factbook

DHL FACTS

Locations: 40

Number of Service Centres: 13

DHL Delivery Zone: 8

Vehicle Fleet: 219

OVERVIEW

Hong Kong, a natural harbour gateway to mainland China, has a long history as a centre for international trade and evolved into Asia’s leading financial powerhouse in the 1970s. Since becoming a Special Administrative Region of China in 1997, Hong Kong continued to maintain its role as a global corporate and banking hub and strengthened its position as a conduit for trade with China.

Hong Kong’s economic success is underwritten by its strong free trade policy: no tariff is changed on importing or exporting goods. As a result, Hong Kong has been recognised as the world’s most free economy since the Index of Economic Freedom began in 1995 and is currently ranked second in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report.

A former British colony, Hong Kong continues to maintain a close relationship with the UK: over 300 British companies have regional headquarters or offices in Hong Kong and it is the UK’s third biggest export market in the Asia Pacific region, after China and India. More than half of all the UK’s investment in Asia is in Hong Kong, and the British government works closely with the region’s government on issues such as financial service regulation, education and low-carbon growth. Several major infrastructure projects are currently underway in Hong Kong and offer additional opportunities for British companies in the region, with £29 billion of investment scheduled up to 2016.

Sources: BBC, GOV.UK, Heritage Foundation, UKTI, World Bank

DHL Hong Kong Fact Sheet 2

UK to Country Transit Times

Fanling 3 days Lantau Island 3 days

Tsuen Wan 3 days Tuen Mun 3 days

Yeun Long 3 days Kowloon 3 days

TRADE INFORMATION

Source: DHL, CIA World Factbook

Exports from Hong Kong

US$ 486.1 billion (2013 est.)

Export commodities Electrical machinery and appliances, textiles, apparel, footwear, watches and clocks, toys, plastics, precious stones, printed material.

Top Export Destinations USA, Germany, Netherlands, UK, Australia, Brazil, France, Canada, India, Italy.

Imports into Hong Kong

US$ 514.5 billion (2013 est.)

Import commodities Raw materials, consumer goods, capital goods, foodstuffs, fuel (most is re-exported).

Top Import Origins Germany, China, USA, Australia, Italy, Japan, UK.

Unlimited: no tariff is charged for importing goods.

ESSENTIAL CUSTOMS INFORMATIONProhibited ItemsThe list below is in addition to DHL’s standard list of prohibited items.• Firearms, or parts of

• Military equipment

Restricted ItemsBeverages with an alcoholic strength above 30% at 20°CReceiver to provide import licence or pay duties. State alcohol content, age, quantity, volume and brand for exemption proof, licence application or duty rate calculation. Transit shipments: obtain permit.

Animal products including skins and leather goods and ivoryClearly state kind of commodity (i.e. made with what kind of animals – scientific names), or shipment will be subject to inspection.

Involving endangered species including ivory: provide Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) certificate, import licence and/or certificate of origin.

Biological Substance Category B, UN3373Import and transit may require permit issued by Hong Kong’s Department of Health. Transit shipments with non-infectious content not exposed to infectious agents: declare explicitly on invoice.

Circuits & circuit boards, computer components, parts and software, electronic equipment, radar equipment including transmitters & receivers and telecommunications equipmentState technical details on invoice. Telecommunications equipment: receiver requires import licence from Hong Kong’s Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA).

Drugs: prescription and non-prescription, medical samples, medical / dental supplies and equipmentReceiver requires import licence from Hong Kong’s Department of Health.

Diplomatic mailSend as goods. Clearly show shipper and receivers’ details on Waybill; state shipment is diplomatic mail and/or related to foreign affairs.

Foodstuffs and other perishables including fresh milk, excluding canned or dry foodsSubject to inspection. State commodity type on invoice. Fresh milk: provide milk licence; powdered formula: provide export licence.

Mobile phones, accessories and componentsReceiver requires import licence from Hong Kong’s Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA).

RiceReceiver requires import licence from Hong Kong’s Trade and Industry Department.

SeedsProvide Phytosanitary Certificate.

TobaccoDutiable unless receiver holds import licence.

For asbestos, Carnet shipments, chemicals including drugs and x-ray machines please contact DHL Customer Services before shipping.

For more information

If you need support or advice on trading with Hong Kong, help is available.

Contact the DHL Express team on 0844 248 0675

DHL Customer Services is also available on 0844 248 0844

Contact your local Chambers of Commerce www.britishchambers.org.uk

Contact your local UKTIwww.ukti.gov.uk

Visit www.dhlguide.co.uk for international trade information and to read our blog

Follow us on Twitter @dhlexpressuk to keep up to date with all the latest developments in international trade

DUTY FREE ALLOWANCE Unlimited: Duties and Taxes are not charged, although excise duty will apply to excisable goods