Before making the decision to import your vehicle, it is important that you note that hefty first registration fees that are applicable when you bring your vehicle into Hong Kong. These fees are are very high and may deter many people from even beginning the process.
The first registration tax is derived from the taxable value of your vehicle times the appropriate tax rate. The rates are as follows:
| Class of Vehicle | Rate of Tax |
|---|---|
| Private Car: First $150,000 of taxable value | 40% |
| Private Car: Next $150,000 of taxable value | 75% |
| Private Car: Next $200,000 of taxable value | 100% |
| Private Car: Remainder | 115% |
| Motorcycles and Motorized tricycles | 35% |
In the event that you do decide to import your vehicle, you will need to follow a number of procedures:
1) Compliance with the Exhaust & Noise Emissions Standard
All vehicles that enter Hong Kong must be compliant with Air Pollution Control (Emission) Regulation and Noise Control Regulations. Before you can import your vehicle into Hong Kong you have to obtain approval/exemption from the Environmental Protection Department. This approval is obtained on the basis of proof of emission compliance which may take the form of documents issued by the vehicle manufacturer or an emission testing report issued by an approved test laboratory.
Prior to physically shipping your vehicle to Hong Kong, you are required to submit all original supporting documents to the Environmental Protection Department. Details of these can be found at the following website: http://www.itc.gov.hk/en/quality/psis/srca/environment.htm
Environment Protection Department
33-34/F & 46-48/F Revenue Tower
5 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai
Tel: 2824 3773
Fax: 2824 9361
http://www.epd.gov.hk
2) Importation
Although imported cars are not charged customs tax upon entry into Hong Kong, the applicant is required to complete and submit an accurate declaration to the Customs and Excise Department* within 14 days of importation.
The following forms also require submission within 30 days and any importer failing to submit them is liable to a fine of HK$500,000 and 12 months imprisonment:
- Import Return (Form: CED336)
- Declaration Form (Form: CED336A)
Both of these forms can be obtained from the following address:
Motor Vehicles Valuation Group
Room 1111
11/F, North Point Government Offices
333 Java Road, North Point
Tel: 2231 4391
Fax: 2598 4975
Once the import return has been submitted, a “Notification of Motor Vehicle Provisional Taxable Value” will be issued and the owner of the vehicle will be required to produce this when registering the car with the Transport Department.
3) Vehicle Examination
Once the vehicle has arrived in Hong Kong, it will need to be examined at the To Kwa Wan Vehicle Examination Centre. At this point you will be required to produce the letters of exemption you secured at step one of the process. If your vehicle successfully passes the examination test you will be provided with a Certificate of Roadworthiness.
To Kwa Wan Vehicle Examination Centre
9-10 Long Yuet Street, Kowloon
Tel: 2333 3112
Fax: 2764 1517
4) Vehicle Registration and Licensing
When applying for first registration of your vehicle, you should submit a completed application form TD22 (http://www.td.gov.hk/en/public_forms/td_forms/vehicle_registration_and_licence/index.html) to the Hong Kong Licensing Office of Transport Department together with the supporting documents as prescribed in the application form. At this point you will be required to pay the following fees:
- First registration tax
- Registration fee
- Vehicle license fee
- Levy to the Traffic Accident Victim Assistance Fund for the licensing of the vehicle
Hong Kong Licensing Office of Transport Department
3/F, United Centre
95 Queensway
Tel: 2804 2637
Fax: 2804 2599
Shipping Companies that provide vehicle shipping services to Hong Kong
