Hong Kong Bonded Warehouse License Application Guide

Hong Kong Bonded Warehouse License Application Guide

Strictly comply with customs requirements,Standardize bonded warehouse approval process

Hong Kong bonded warehouse license basisDutiable Commodities Ordinance (Chapter 109)and related regulations,Issued by Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department。The licensee may store dutiable goods with unpaid duty at designated premises in accordance with the license conditions.,and must comply with cargo movement、in stock、accounts、security guard、Assurance and continuing reporting requirements。

Hong Kong Huitong can help organize the premises according to the agreed scope、person in charge、business、Inventory system and application information;Is the venue suitable?、Guaranteed amount、inspection、Approval and licensing conditions are determined by Customs on a case-by-case basis。

Release time:Content has been reviewed
Huang Peiyi
Huang Peiyi Core Compliance Team
Served:Hong Kong senior corporate secretarial firm & Business Consulting Group
permanent residence:Hongkong Experience:9 Year
Expertise in compliance areas:Hong Kong TCSP license、Precious Metals Registration(DPMS)、license。
personal note:Huang Peiyi-has led the TCSP (Trust and Company Service Provider) license applications of many institutions in the industry,Specialized in handling Hong Kong precious metals and gemstone dealer registration (DPMS)、Bulk import and export and catering franchise qualifications。
Familiar with the regulatory application process
Professional compliance team
Standardized compliance process
Multi-jurisdictional services

1. The functions and advantages of Hong Kong bonded warehouse license

tax deferral

Imported dutiable goods stored in bonded warehouses can legally defer the payment of commodity tax,Duty is not required until the goods are sold locally.,Significantly improve business cash flow。

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Compliance management

The bonded warehouse license only proves that the customs approves the operation under specified conditions.,It does not mean that the company has complied with all taxes、Firefighting、Dangerous goods、planning or other statutory obligations;Licensees must continue to comply with license conditions。

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Flexible operation

Simple processing and logistics operations that do not change the nature of the goods are allowed in the warehouse,Such as sorting、repackage,Compatible with re-export and local delivery。

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global hub

Taking advantage of Hong Kong’s free port policy,The bonded warehouse has become a duty-free transit platform connecting the mainland and international markets.,Strengthen supply chain resilience。

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Professional support

Hong Kong Express can assist in sorting out the disclosure application requirements、File and system description;The consultant cannot guarantee that customs will accept the information、Reduce the risk of rejection or perform duties on behalf of the responsible person。

2. Comparison of license types for Hong Kong bonded warehouse license application

License type Applicable subject Regulatory and technical core requirements
General bonded warehouse Storing general alcohol、Tobacco and other room temperature taxable goods Fire safety and general security facilities must pass customs inspection
Public bonded warehouse Logistics provider that provides warehousing services to third parties Each customer's goods must be recorded separately according to approved systems and procedures、license、Receipt, delivery and inventory differences
Private bonded warehouse Only store goods imported/traded by the license holder itself Approved goods used only for the licensee’s own business;If hydrocarbon oil is involved、Dangerous goods or other special categories,Capacity and license must be confirmed separately according to current conditions
香港海关 执法行动
Hong Kong Customs Enforcement Actions

3. Application process for Hong Kong bonded warehouse license application

first step:Prepare with digital registration

Confirm the use of the premises first、Goods type、Bonded warehouse category、Security and inventory control solutions,and obtain the institutional credentials required for electronic application;CCTV、Access control and recording configuration are designed according to customs case requirements。

Step 2:System submission application

Submit the application and supporting documents through the customs currently designated dutiable goods system;Check the current form before formal submission、System entry and electronic signature requirements,Unconfirmed old form numbers will not be used。

Step 3:Pre-compliance and financial review

Customs review application subject、person in charge、premises、goods、business、Financial Assurance and Inventory Control,And financial statements are required based on the applicant’s current term and business conditions.、Prediction or other proof。

Step 4:On-site inspection

Customs can inspect warehouses to be licensed,Check the premises、security guard、Partition、Inventory system、Records and the actual execution ability of the person in charge。Officials have not committed to uniform inspection time limits for all cases。

Step 5:Pay the fee and get the license

After being approved, submit the guarantee required by the customs and pay the annual license fee as notified。Currently average、The annual fee for public and private bonded warehouses is HK$26,800.;The form and amount of guarantee are determined on a case-by-case basis。

4. Bonded Warehouse License Application-Customs Fee Standards

Types of taxable brand photos annual license fee
I. import and export
– Import and export license $1,320
– special import license $1,320
II. Bonded warehouse
– General bonded warehouse license $26,800
– Public bonded warehouse license $26,800
– Private bonded warehouse license $26,800
III. manufacturer
– Hydrocarbon oil manufacturer license $24,650
– Tobacco Manufacturer's License $22,700
– Liquor Manufacturer's License $22,700
– Liquor license $22,700
– Distillers License (only issued to education approved by the Financial Secretary、scientific or charitable organization) free
Other expenses
– Every change in license content $620

 

Original material reference:Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department – Taxable brand photos

5. List of required documents for application

Valid business registration certificate of the company(BR)and registration certificate

Proof of identity of the responsible person and information on their employment relationship with the applicant;Customs recommends that the responsible person be a Hong Kong resident holding a valid Hong Kong Identity Card,To facilitate contact in Hong Kong

"Digital Certificate (Organisational)" issued by a publicly recognized certification authority

Official authorization letter from the board of directors and consent letter for appointment of responsible personnel

Fully stamped (stamp duty) tenancy agreement and Land Registry title record

Letter of consent from the owner for subletting/sharing (if the tenant of the lease is not the applicant company)

Bank statements for the last 3 months (certified by directors)

Prepare audited financial statements based on the applicant’s term and business conditions、management account、Forecast profit and loss、Assets, liabilities and cash flow information;The final list is subject to customs case requirements.

Detailed floor plan of the warehouse with total area and exterior/interior photos

Inventory monitoring system(WMS)describe,Including inventory procedures、coding system、Exception handling mechanism manual

Hazardous brand license/certificate (if involving spirits、Methanol、hydrocarbon oil)

6. Tips on the difficulties in applying for a Hong Kong bonded warehouse license

Unlicensed warehouse:Storing dutiable goods without holding a valid license,a serious criminal offence,Can result in imprisonment and heavy fines。

Personnel arrangement:The responsible person must be an employee of the applicant;Customs recommends that Hong Kong residents holding valid Hong Kong identity cards be employed.。Whether a specific person is finally accepted will be reviewed by the customs,Non-residents should not be directly equated with denial of approval。

security arrangements:CCTV、access control、entrance/exit、visitor、key、Partitioning and video storage should be based on goods、Design for premises and customs requirements;This page does not describe 30 days or a certain access control technology as a uniform threshold that applies to all warehouses.。

financial guarantee:Customs may require security sufficient to cover potential duties;Amount and form based on highest potential tax、Goods and risk decisions。Insufficient information may result in inquiry or disapproval,But it cannot be predicted that it will be rejected。

Mobile license:Any goods entering or leaving the bonded warehouse must apply for a removal permit from the customs one by one.(Removal Permit),Moving illegally is illegal。

Renewal overdue:The license is only valid for one year,And you must log in to the system to apply for renewal 1-2 months before expiration.,May become invalid if expired。

Dangerous goods linkage:Warehousing Spirits、Hydrocarbon oils, etc. must obtain a separate hazardous brand license from the Fire Services Department,Otherwise the license cannot be approved。

7. FAQs for Hong Kong Bonded Warehouse License Application

What is a bonded warehouse license? Why should we apply for it?+

Bonded warehouse licenses are issued by the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department in accordance with the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance.,Allow licensees to store dutiable goods (e.g. alcoholic beverages) for a longer period of time in designated warehouses for which tax has not been paid、tobacco、hydrocarbon oil)。Goods stored in bonded warehouses can be deferred from paying commodity tax,Processing and logistics operations that do not change the nature of the goods are allowed,Duty is not payable until the goods are shipped out for local use.,Thus significantly improving corporate cash flow and reducing trade costs。

Can an overseas company in its own name or without commercial registration directly apply for a bonded warehouse license?+

Applications must be submitted by applicants who have registered with the Business Registration Office and hold a valid business registration certificate,And the license is only used for commercial dutiable goods activities。The form and qualifications of the subject shall be confirmed according to the current customs application requirements.,It is not appropriate to generalize to all individuals or foreign entities and absolutely not。

Can we name anyone as the "responsible officer" when applying?+

The responsible person must be an employee of the applicant;Customs recommends that Hong Kong residents holding valid Hong Kong identity cards be employed.,To facilitate contact in Hong Kong when necessary。Current public notices require the appointment of a responsible person,specific authorization、Substitute arrangements and consent documents are confirmed according to the application form and case notification。

Submit bonded warehouse license application to Customs,Do I need any special electronic vouchers?+

Yes。Applicants must be over 18 years old and hold a business registration certificate,And you must apply for and receive a "Digital Certificate (Organization)" from a publicly recognized certification authority (such as Hong Kong Post),You can log in to the "Dutiable Goods System" of the Customs and Excise Department(DCS) Apply online。

Financial review is extremely stringent,If we are a newly established company,What should I do if I can’t get three years of audit reports?+

Newly established applicants should provide available financial information and forecasts as required by customs,Including profit and loss、Assets, Liabilities and Cash Flows;Does it have to be certified by a specific person?、How many years are covered or what alternative documents are accepted,Must be confirmed according to the current form and case notification。

If we rent someone else’s warehouse space,What are the red lines on lease reviews?+

A fully printed (i.e. stamp duty paid) formal tenancy agreement and proof of title from the Land Registry must be provided。If the tenant on the lease is not your applicant company,You must additionally provide a letter of consent from the owner,Express consent to the tenant to sublet、Share the unit or allow the applicant company to use the unit。

Internal systems and anti-counterfeiting for bonded warehouses,What are the mandatory documentation requirements for customs?+

Applicants should submit documents related to shipment and receipt of goods、License check、in stock、loss、destroy、Description of systems and procedures matching anomaly investigation and security。Specific functions、Format and technical configuration are reviewed by customs based on warehouse category and risk。

If our bonded warehouse is intended to store highly concentrated spirits or fuel oil,Do I need to apply for additional permissions?+

Warehousing Spirits、Methanol、When using hydrocarbon oil or other dangerous goods,should be based on actual quantity、Premises and materials separately assessed by Fire Services Department and other permits。Capacity thresholds and license combinations for private hydrocarbon storage must be confirmed with current customs and fire protection information at the time of submission。

After the bonded warehouse license is approved,Are we free to bring tobacco and alcohol in and out?+

Absolutely not。A bonded warehouse license only qualifies you for long-term storage of duty-free goods,Every time any goods enter or leave the warehouse, you must apply for a removal permit from the customs in advance.(Removal Permit)。Moving without a license is a serious offense,May face license revocation and criminal prosecution。

After the goods are received or released in the bonded warehouse,What are our immediate statutory notification obligations?+

As a bonded warehouse operator,After releasing or accepting shipment,A "Notice of Executed Permit" must be sent to Customs immediately。If excess goods are found during this period、shortage or damage,Accurate check boxes and quantity declarations must be made in the system。

How long is the bonded warehouse license valid for? When do I need to apply for renewal?+

The license is valid for one year。The licensee must start 2 months before the license expires、Within the statutory period of one month before expiration,Log in to the "Dutiable Commodity System" to apply for renewal,Overdue expiration will result in treasury interruption and legal consequences.。

After the Customs approves the bonded warehouse license,How to pay fees and deposits to the government?+

After completing the approval,Customs will send payment advice via the "Dutiable Commodities System"。Applicants can print the notification form and pay it by cash/check at Bank of China (Hong Kong) branch,or via online banking、Fast RPM(FPS)Payment by other methods。After customs confirms receipt of license fee and letter of guarantee,,Electronic license issued immediately。

8. Steps to apply for a bonded warehouse license - Hong Kong Customs video

Steps to apply for a bonded warehouse license through the Dutiable Commodities System

 

9. Related references

10. Relevant regulations、Regulatory information and further reading

Data category Related information
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