Hong Kong Importer of Record at a Glance:
Importer of Record and HKTID
- You will need HKTID approval to import telecommunications and compute devices that are encryption controlled
- Depending on the equipment you may need other licenses, documentation, and certificates
IT Shipping & Logistics
- Shipping into and through Hong Kong is relatively quick and simple with the right providers
Importer of Record and Pre-Shipment Documentation
Hong Kong’s importation process is fairly amicable. There are few unexpected obstacles and Hong Kong is a popular market for importing IT hardware. However, documentation needs to be extremely detail-oriented to avoid any discrepancies that may cause long delays in the final delivery.
Importer of Record and HKTID
Your Importer of Record should file the necessary documentation with the Hong Kong Trade & Industry Department (HKTID). This is the primary body for regulating trade into Hong Kong and they regulate all telecommunications and encrypted controlled equipment.
Once you have submitted the necessary documentation, there is typically a two to three week approval period. HKTID requires you to be very specific and accurate when submitting shipment details. All of your equipment, the weight, declared value, and ECCN numbers should all be clearly listed to avoid issues in customs.
Other Documentation
Aside from the general paperwork needed to obtain HKTID approval you may need a number of other documents depending on the specific devices you are planning to ship. For example, commonly required documents include export permits from the origin, BR Certificates for the end-user, and SC037 forms from the OEM. All these certificates are on a product-by-product basis and it is best to consult an experienced importer, like FGX, for further guidance.
It is extremely important that all necessary documentation is properly completed and approved before shipment to Hong Kong. The consequences of not managing the process carefully are delays of up to a month or longer as well as potential fines and flags against the importer.
IT Shipping & Logistics
Hong Kong is a technological and international trade hub. Air freight into Hong Kong is relatively frequent and typically only takes two to three working days. Once the equipment has been cleared by customs, last-mile delivery only requires another one to two workings days. If your shipment documentation is managed properly, shipping and clearance should be quick and painless.
FGX manages all of our client’s shipments door-to-door (or door-to-data center). This case study showcases how we navigated IT logistics and importation into Hong Kong at the time that it was written. Regulations and challenges are constantly changing and exact shipping requirements may have changed. To learn more about FGX and how our global shipping platform can help your company, reach out here.