Hong Kong: sanctions and trade risk

Re-export routeNamed in UK and US guidance as a re-export route to Russia; UK arms embargo applies.

As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 55 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Hong Kong.Lists last checked 2026-11-07 21:01 UTC.

Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓

Hong Kong is named in official guidance as a route for re-exports to Russia. Ordinary goods are usually not restricted, but authorities expect you to verify the real end destination and end user, especially for goods on the EU/UK high-priority lists.

Sources: UK — Countering Russian sanctions evasion: guidance for exporters (at-risk jurisdictions list) (12 Mar 2026) · DOJ/Commerce/Treasury Tri-Seal Compliance Note on third-party intermediaries (2 Mar 2023) · UK FCDO — Current UK sanctions regimes (25 Mar 2026) · reviewed 24 Oct 2026

Check a shipment to Hong Kong →

By sanctions regime

The indicator above is the strictest of these. Which regimes are relevant to a shipment depends on many connections — dispatch country, company location, incorporation, nationality, ownership, banks, goods origin. The check selects them from your inputs in a simplified way; UN measures take effect through each country's implementing law.

Regime	Indicator	What applies
UN	—	No UN sanctions regime.
EU	—	No measures against the country itself.
Switzerland	—	No measures against the country itself.
UK	Re-export route	Arms embargo; 'China, including Hong Kong and Macau' named as at risk of re-export to Russia (Mar 2026).
US	Re-export route	Treated as China under US export controls; named in US guidance (Tri-Seal note 2023).

On the sanctions lists

55 entries on the official lists name Hong Kong — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.

List	Entries	Companies & organisations	Vessels	Aircraft
US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)	47	47	—	—
EU Consolidated Financial Sanctions List (FSF)	4	4	—	—
Switzerland SECO Consolidated Sanctions List	2	2	—	—
UN Security Council Consolidated List	1	1	—	—
US OFAC — Consolidated (Non-SDN) Lists	1	1	—	—

Latest changes

No new listings or removals naming Hong Kong recorded yet.

All updates →

Logistics profile

Hong Kong: logistics and trade

Free port / transshipment hub / Asia's air cargo hub

Hong Kong (HK) is a Special Administrative Region of China at the Pearl River Delta, a separate customs territory and one of Asia's foremost free-port and transshipment hubs. There is no import or export duty and no VAT; excise applies only to liquor above 30 percent alcohol, tobacco, hydrocarbon oil and methyl alcohol, and import/export declarations must be lodged with the Customs and Excise Department within 14 days. The key gateways are Hong Kong International Airport (HKG, the world's busiest cargo airport in 2024 with about 4.94 million tonnes) and the Kwai Tsing Container Terminals, with the River Trade Terminal in Tuen Mun linking the Pearl River Delta. By road, the Shenzhen border crossings (Lok Ma Chau, Shenzhen Bay) and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge connect the territory to the mainland. Main cargo includes electronics and electronic components, machinery, jewellery and watches, and pharmaceuticals; leading partners are mainland China, the US, Japan and Taiwan. The FTA network covers CEPA, EFTA (incl. Switzerland) and ASEAN.

Capital: Hong Kong
Population: 7,527,500
Area: 1,106 km²
Currency: Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)
Continent: Asia
Region: Greater China / Asia-Pacific
Economic area: Special Administrative Region of China; separate customs territory (WTO member)
Religions: Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, Islam
Access to the sea: Yes

Transport modes Sea · Air · Road

Current situation: HKIA was the world's largest air cargo airport in 2024 (4,94 million tonnes, up 14,1 percent) with a three-runway system. The port handled about 13,7 million TEU in 2024 and about 13,0 million TEU in 2025. No nationwide disruption verified (as of 2026-07-18).
Seasonal conditions: Typhoon season May to November; Signal 8 warnings can briefly halt port and airport operations. Subtropical climate with hot, humid summers.

Main seaports

Hong Kong
Hong Kong (HK HKG): South China Sea transshipment port, 13.7M TEU in 2024, duty-free free port. Cargo, customs, Kwai Tsing terminals, alternatives.

Road corridors

Hong Kong - Shenzhen (border crossings Lok Ma Chau / Shenzhen Bay)
Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge

Main trade lanes

Hong Kong - mainland China
Hong Kong - USA
Hong Kong - Japan
Hong Kong - ASEAN

Customs and import

Customs authority Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department (C&ED)Official website ↗

Import customs system: Free port with no import duty; import/export declaration with the C&ED mandatory within 14 days. Excise duty only on four goods: spirits above 30 percent alcohol (100 percent), tobacco, hydrocarbon oil and methyl alcohol.
Export customs system: Free port with no export duty; export declaration with the C&ED within 14 days. Licence required for strategic goods (dual-use) under the Import and Export Ordinance Cap. 60, issued via the Trade and Industry Department.
Import VAT: No VAT, GST or sales tax (free port). Excise duty only on spirits above 30 percent alcohol, tobacco, hydrocarbon oil and methyl alcohol.
Proofs of origin and trade agreements: Origin proofs per agreement: CEPA (mainland China), EFTA (incl. Switzerland, since 1.10.2012), ASEAN, Chile, Georgia, Australia, New Zealand, Peru. Issued via the Trade and Industry Department or authorised bodies.
Restricted and prohibited goods: Subject to licence, including strategic/dual-use goods, weapons and ammunition, endangered species (CITES), medicines, certain foodstuffs, and left- and right-hand drive vehicles. Four excise-liable goods.

Typical import documents

Import/export declaration (within 14 days)
Commercial invoice
Packing list
Bill of lading / air waybill
Licence for controlled goods, if applicable

Typical export documents

Export declaration (within 14 days)
Commercial invoice
Packing list
Bill of lading / air waybill
Certificate of origin (FTA)
Strategic trade licence (TID), if applicable

Logistics conditions

Customs complexity: Low
Customs delays: Low
Port congestion: Low to medium
Dangerous goods relevance: High
Pharma and cold chain relevance: High
E-commerce relevance: High

Trade

Top import partners

China Taiwan South Korea Japan United States

Top export partners

China United States Japan India Taiwan

Top import goods

Electronic components
Machinery
Precious metals
Vehicles
Consumer goods

Top export goods

Electronics
Machinery
Jewellery
Watches
Consumer goods

Typical cargo

Electronics / electronic components
Machinery
Jewellery and watches
Pharmaceuticals
Consumer goods

Upcoming public holidays

Christmas DayFri, 25 Dec 2026 · businesses closed
The first weekday after Christmas DaySat, 26 Dec 2026 · businesses closed
New Year's DayFri, 1 Jan 2027 · businesses closed
Lunar New Year's DaySat, 6 Feb 2027 · businesses closed
The third day of Lunar New YearMon, 8 Feb 2027 · businesses closed
The fourth day of Lunar New Year (substitute)Tue, 9 Feb 2027 · businesses closed
Good FridayFri, 26 Mar 2027 · businesses closed
The day following Good FridaySat, 27 Mar 2027 · businesses closed

Latest logistics news

EU Small Consignment Duty Slows Air Freight from Hong Kong by 24 Percent28 Jul 2026
Since the new EU tariff on small shipments, air freight from Hong Kong to Europe has declined significantly. Spot rates on the China-Europe route are also falling.

Logistics questions

Does Hong Kong levy customs duty or VAT on imports?

No. Hong Kong is a free port and levies no import duty, VAT, GST or sales tax. Excise duty applies only to four commodities: liquor above 30 percent alcohol, tobacco, hydrocarbon oil and methyl alcohol.

Is a customs declaration still required despite the free port status?

Yes. Anyone importing or exporting goods must lodge an import or export declaration with the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department within 14 days, even when no duty is payable.

How are strategic and dual-use goods handled?

Strategic goods require a per-consignment licence from the Trade and Industry Department under the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60) and the Strategic Commodities Regulations, enforced by the C&ED. The control lists follow Wassenaar, NSG, MTCR, the Australia Group and the CWC.

How important is Hong Kong's airport for air cargo?

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) was the world's busiest cargo airport in 2024, handling about 4.94 million tonnes. The new three-runway system further increases capacity.

How significant is the port of Hong Kong?

The port handled about 13.7 million TEU in 2024 and about 13.0 million TEU in 2025, most of it at the Kwai Tsing Container Terminals. Volumes are declining due to competition from mainland ports.

Which free trade agreements apply to Hong Kong?

Hong Kong has CEPA with the mainland plus free trade agreements with EFTA (incl. Switzerland, since 1 Oct 2012), ASEAN, Chile, Georgia, Australia, New Zealand and Peru. As a separate customs territory it is an individual WTO member.

What seasonal risks affect logistics?

The typhoon season runs from May to November. When typhoon signal 8 or higher is hoisted, port and airport operations and road traffic can be suspended temporarily.

Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗