Car Shipping Guide to Hong Kong

Vehicle Shipping to Hong Kong 

Hong Kong registration taxes are levied on the total cost/value of the car once it has arrived in Hong Kong - the purchase price + the cost of any improvements + shipping costs. The tax rate is 40% for the first HK$150,000 of value, 75% for the next HK$150,000, 100% for the next $200,000 and 115% on any balance over this.

Compliance with vehicle exhausts and noise emission standards

All motor vehicles and motor cycles must comply with the requirements of the Air Pollution Regulations (Cap.311J) and Noise Control (Motor regulations).

Application for Emissions Approval

Applicants should complete the "application for vehicle Exhaust and Noise Emissions Compliance” and the "Noise Emission Certificate General Approval (NECGA) form” and submit to the Environmental Protection Department for approval together with all original supporting documentation. The following documents are acceptable to the Environmental Protection Departments as proof of emission compliance:

  • Certificate of Conformity (CoC) issued to the vehicle by its vehicle manufacturer (for vehicles manufactured within one year from the date of application).
  • Exhaust emission test report issue within 6 months by one of the recognised vehicle emission testing laboratories and noise compliance.
  • Any other documents which can prove emission compliance to the satisfaction of the Environmental Protection Department.

Application for Exemption from emissions requirements

The following classes of vehicles need to show compliance with the emissions standards in the Air Pollution Control (Vehicle Design Standards)(Emission) Regulations and Noise Control (motor vehicles) Regulation and NO EXEMPTION will be granted:

  • All diesel vehicles
  • All commercial vehicles
  • Apart from the vehicles Environmental Protection Department will consider granting emissions exemption to PETROL PRIVATE CARS that are imported for personal use in Hong Kong and meet the following criteria, provided that the applicant had not been granted similar exemption in the previous five years;
  • New vehicles used for less than six months
  • The vehicle must by design comply with the Air pollution Control (Vehicle Design Standards) (Emission) Regulations and Noise Control (motor vehicles) Regulation when new and have been manufactured within one year from the date of the application and total mileage travelled begin not more than 5000km while in another country/region.

Applicants must submit the following supporting documents

  • Copy of purchase invoice and bill of lading showing that the period is not more than 6 months.
  • Documents showing the vehicle complied with the latest emission standards of the Air Pollution Control (Vehicle Design Standards) (Emission) Regulation when new.
  • Copy of the vehicle's identification Certificate issued by the vehicle manufacturer showing the manufacture date was not more than one year from the date of application
  • Self-declaration of the odometer reading of not more than 5000km travelled
  • Used vehicles - The vehicle must be owned by the applicant for more than 6 months in a region outside Hong Kong where it normally resided prior to the application. Vehicle registered in the name of a company will not be exempted even though the company is wholly owned by the applicant
  • Copy of the vehicles registration document showing that the applicant has owned the vehicle in a region outside of Hong Kong for more than 6 months.
  • Copy of the applicants driving licence issued by the region from which the vehicle is imported from with the date of the insurance highlighted.
  • Proof of residence for more than 6 months in the region, from which the vehicle is imported, such as utility bills, telephone bills, etc.
  • Documents showing reasons for bringing the vehicle into the Hong Kong (Such as taking up permanent residence in Hong Kong, employment/study/VISA valid for at least 6 months from the date of application.
  • Invoice or payment receipt of vehicle manufacture or car distributor.
  • To prove vehicle ownership, date and price of purchase.
  • Any other documents which can support the application.
  • Original vehicle registration document and/or shipping document.

Vehicle Examination

  • Before importing a vehicle you are reminded to ensure that it meets the applicable requirements for registration in Hong Kong, and that documentary evidence is available to demonstrate compliance where applicable.
  • Upon the arrival of your imported vehicle in Hong Kong, you should approach the following vehicle Examination Centre to arrange for the vehicle examination. You are required to bring along with the approval letter issued by the Environmental Protection Department to show that your car has complied with the vehicle exhaust emission and noise emission standards and pay the appropriate fee for vehicle examination. Your car will be issued with a certificate of Roadworthiness by the Examination Centre if it can pass the vehicle examination.
  • Vehicles presented for vehicle examination (pre-registering examination) need to comply with the provisions of Road Traffic Ordinance Chapter 374 and its subsidiary legislation, and should be maintained in good serviceable condition, in particular;
  • a) The vehicle construction shall comply with Road Traffic (Construction and Maintenance of vehicles) Regulation
  • b) The seatbelts and seatbelt anchorage points shall comply with the provisions of the Road Traffic (Safety Equipment) Regulations, all seats shall be permanently marked with a specification number, mark or symbol indicating compliance with the standards listed in legislation.
  • c) The windscreen and panes on the vehicle shall be of safety glass complying with the vehicles standards, in addition all vehicle glass shall be of such transparency that it does not obscure the view of the interior of the motor vehicle.

Paying Local Fees

Keep in mind that you may have to pay additional charges once you have reached you destination such as clearance, customs, duties and taxes. You can check out our International Customs and Excise Duties page to find more specific details or you can Contact us and one of our professional members of staff will be able to help.

Hong Kong registration taxes are levied on the total cost/value of the car once it has arrived in Hong Kong - the purchase price + the cost of any improvements + shipping costs. The tax rate is 40% for the first HK$150,000 of value, 75% for the next HK$150,000, 100% for the next $200,000 and 115% on any balance over this.

Compliance with vehicle exhausts and noise emission standards

All motor vehicles and motor cycles must comply with the requirements of the Air Pollution Regulations (Cap.311J) and Noise Control (Motor regulations) .

Application for Emissions Approval

Applicants should complete the "application for vehicle Exhaust and Noise Emissions Compliance " and the "Noise Emission Certificate General Approval (NECGA) form " and submit to the Environmental Protection Department for approval together with all original supporting documentation. The following documents are acceptable to the Environmental Protection Departments as proof of emission compliance:

  • Certificate of Conformity (CoC) issued to the vehicle by its vehicle manufacturer (for vehicles manufactured within one year from the date of application).
  • Exhaust emission test report issue within 6 months by one of the recognised vehicle emission testing labratories and noise compliance.
  • Any other documents which can prove emission compliance to the satisfaction of the Environmental Protection Department.

Application for Exemption from emissions requirements

The following classes of vehicles need to show compliance with the emissions standards in the Air Pollution Control (Vehicle Design Standards)(Emission) Regulations and Noise Control (motor vehicles) Regulation and NO EXEMPTION will be granted:

  • All diesel vehicles
  • All commercial vehicles

Apart from the vehicles Environmental Protection Department will consider granting emissions exemption to PETROL PRIVATE CARS that are imported for personal use in Hong Kong and meet the following criteria, provided that the applicant had not been granted similar exemption in the previous five years;

  • New vehicles used for less than six months

The vehicle must by design comply with the Air pollution Control (Vehicle Design Standards) (Emission) Regulations and Noise Control (motor vehicles) Regulation when new and have been manufactured within one year from the date of the application and total mileage travelled begin not more than 5000km while in another country/region.

Applicants must submit the following supporting documents

  • Copy of purchase invoice and bill of lading showing that the period is not more than 6 months.
  • Documents showing the vehicle complied with the latest emission standards of the Air Pollution Control (Vehicle Design Standards) (Emission) Regulation when new.
  • Copy of the vehicle's identification Certificate issued by the vehicle manufacturer showing the manufacture date was not more than one year from the date of application
  • Self-declaration of the odometer reading of not more than 5000km travelled
  • Used vehicles - The vehicle must be owned by the applicant for more than 6 months in a region outside Hong Kong where it normally resided prior to the application. Vehicle registered in the name of a company will not be exempted even though the company is wholly owned by the applicant

Applicants must submit the following supporting documentation

  • Copy of the vehicles registration document showing that the applicant has owned the vehicle in a region outside of Hong Kong for more than 6 months.
  • Copy of the applicants driving licence issued by the region from which the vehicle is imported from with the date of the insurance highlighted.
  • Proof of residence for more than 6 months in the region, from which the vehicle is imported, such as utility bills, telephone bills, etc.
  • Documents showing reasons for bringing the vehicle into the Hong Kong (Such as taking up permanent residence in Hong Kong, employment/study/VISA valid for at least 6 months from the date of application.
  • Invoice or payment receipt of vehicle manufacture or car distributor.
  • To prove vehicle ownership, date and price of purchase.
  • Any other documents which can support the application.
  • Original vehicle registration document and/or shipping document.

Vehicle Examination

  • Before importing a vehicle you are reminded to ensure that it meets the applicable requirements for registration in Hong Kong, and that documentary evidence is available to demonstrate compliance where applicable.
  • Upon the arrival of your imported vehicle in Hong Kong, you should approach the following vehicle Examination Centre to arrange for the vehicle examination. You are required to bring along with the approval letter issued by the Environmental Protection Department to show that your car has complied with the vehicle exhaust emission and noise emission standards and pay the appropriate fee for vehicle examination. Your car will be issued with a certificate of Roadworthiness by the Examination Centre if it can pass the vehicle examination.
  • Vehicles presented for vehicle examination (pre-registering examination) need to comply with the provisions of Road Traffic Ordinance Chapter 374 and its subsidiary legislation, and should be maintained in good serviceable condition, in particular;
  • a) The vehicle construction shall comply with Road Traffic (Construction and Maintenance of vehicles) Regulation
  • b) The seatbelts and seatbelt anchorage points shall comply with the provisions of the Road Traffic (Safety Equipment) Regulations, all seats shall be permanently marked with a specification number, mark or symbol indicating compliance with the standards listed in legislation.
  • c) The windscreen and panes on the vehicle shall be of safety glass complying with the vehicles standards, in addition all vehicle glass shall be of such transparency that it does not obscure the view of the interior of the motor vehicle.

Paying Local Fees

Keep in mind that you may have to pay additional charges once you have reached you destination such as clearance, customs, duties and taxes. You can check out our International Customs and Excise Duties page to find more specific details or you can Contact us and one of our professional members of staff will be able to help.