Shipping to Hong Kong: A How-To Guide

Looking to send a parcel to Asia via Hong Kong but not sure how to proceed? With specific customs requirements, packaging standards and statutory holidays, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

Not to worry, our logistics dispatch experts will explain what procedures to follow to avoid any complications!

Hong Kong: an economic and commercial hub

Hong Kong is a fascinating place. Formerly a British colony, it is now a special administrative region of China. With over 7 million residents, this vibrant city is considered a global economic, commercial and financial hub.

Hong Kong is known for its taste for luxury goods and the long sea bridge that connects it to China. The destination is a profitable one, and it’s common for parcels destined for Asia to be sent through Hong Kong.

Shipping to Hong Kong: required documents

When shipping internationally to Hong Kong or elsewhere, it’s important to provide your chosen carrier with certain documents that are vital for a smooth shipping process.

Regardless of whether you choose FedEx, TNT, Chronopost or UPS, you’ll need to provide the following customs forms:

Packing slip: This document must be written in English and indicate the value of the goods in any currency.
Pro forma invoice: This document indicates the contents of your package to customs agents and 2 copies must be provided.
Shipping label: You may be asked for a printed copy, so have one ready to avoid any problems at customs.

Note: If your package contains goods that will be sold in Hong Kong, you will also need to include a commercial invoice, which may be filled out by you or your carrier. The commercial invoice should include details about the contents of your package and their value.

Shipping to Hong Kong: customs clearance

When shipping to Hong Kong, it’s important to know that all international shipments to the destination must go through customs.

It’s very important to only ship permitted items, include all necessary documents, and pay customs fees if required.

Customs fees are calculated based on the value of the products in the shipment, the country of origin and the final destination.

How taxes and customs duties are calculated

When shipping goods outside the European Union, you must pay:

VAT: calculated based on the total value of the goods in the shipment and the regulations of the destination country (Hong Kong)

Applicable customs duties calculated based on:
- The value of the goods
- Customs tariffs
- The origin of the goods (each state has its own regulations, so it’s important to check the specifics with Hong Kong customs)

Which mode of transport to use when shipping to Hong Kong

Shipping a package to Asia can be done in a variety of ways. Whether you ship by air or sea, you can rest assured that your package will arrive safely. The only obstacle to consider is potential delivery delays.

If you’re wondering which mode of transport will best suit your shipping needs, read on to find out everything you need to know about each method so that you can select the right one for you.

1. Sea freight

Sea freight is one of the most common ways of transporting goods, with good reason. It has several advantages, including easy transportation of large merchandise, fewer restrictions, and lower costs. There are two types of shipments to choose from, depending on your goods:

Freight Consolidation (LCL): Goods from multiple shippers are combined in a single container and shipped together.

Full load (FCL): If you are the only shipper, the container can stay secured throughout transportation (except for in the event of a customs inspection).

2. Air freight

This mode of transport is usually done by cargo plane, which is reserved for transporting goods. However, there are also combi aircraft and passenger planes that can be modified to transport goods.

While air freight is more expensive than other modes of transport, it guarantees the fastest shipping speed, particularly over long distances (such as shipping from China to Canada).

Trust Globex for shipping to Hong Kong

At Globex, we know that shipping is never one size fits all. That’s why we offer a variety of shipping services designed to suit different needs.

Some shipments may require special care. To make sure your shipment is handled appropriately, our logistics dispatch experts can provide the necessary support for your international shipping needs.