Viewpoints

Industrial climate Hong Kong has a free-enterprise, free-trade economy. The government has traditionally adopted a policy of nonintervention in the private sector, while at the same time providing the territory with a modern and sophisticated commercial infrastructure and a sound legal and administrative framework. The result of this government policy, an entrepreneurial population and an industrious workforce is a highly prosperous economy with one of the highest per capita GDPs in the Asia-Pacific regions. The Hong Kong economy is based on trade, and Hong Kong now ranks as the world’s fifth-largest trading nation. It is estimated that approximately 90 percent of Hong Kong’s manufacturing output is eventually exported. Hong Kong lacks most natural resources and is therefore heavily dependent on imports. However, because Hong Kong is primarily a free port (imposing no customs duties on imported goods), this does not pose a problem. In recent years, the limited supply of […]

Hong Kong BVI General Type of Company Private Limited Company Business Company Political Stability Good Good Common or Civil Law Common Common Disclosure of Beneficial Owner No No Migration of Domicile Permitted No Yes Tax on Offshore Profits No Nil Corporate Requirements Minimum Number of Shareholders One One Minimum Number of Directors One One Corporate Shareholders Allowed Yes Yes Bearer Shares Allowed No No Corporate Directors Permitted Yes Yes Company Secretary Required Yes No Standard Authorized Share Capital HKD10,000 50,000 shares Local Requirements Registered Office/Agent Yes Yes Company Secretary Yes No Local Directors No No Local Meetings No No Government Register of Directors Yes No Government Register of Shareholders Yes No Annual Requirements Annual Return Yes No Filing of Changes Yes Yes Submit Audited Accounts Yes No Tax Filing Yes No Recurring Government Costs Minimum Annual Tax/License Fee HKD2,250 USD350 Annual Return Filing Fee HKD105 N/A Taxes Value Added Tax […]

Overview Hong Kong adopts a territorial source principle of taxation. Only profits which have a source in Hong Kong are taxable here. Profits sourced elsewhere are not subject to Hong Kong Profits Tax. The principle itself is very clear but its application cases can be, at times, contentious. This guideline note gives a brief explanation of how the principle operates and provides simple examples for illustrative purposes of the tests applied to different types of businesses. Hong Kong’s basis of taxation on profits from businesses Profits of manufacturing businesses Pre-conditions for liability to Profits Tax Sale or purchase commissions Basic principles for determining the source of profits Treatment of other profits Profits of trading firms Apportionment of profits and expenses Advance rulings Hong Kong’s Basis of Taxation on Profits from Businesses Hong Kong adopts a territorial basis for taxing profits derived from a trade, profession, or business carried on in […]

Overview In Hong Kong, the term “travel agency” refers to a company that arranges and organizes services related to travel and tours. In order to set up and operate a travel agency and offer travel or tour packages (including transportation services) in Hong Kong, you will need to apply for a “Travel Agent’s License”. Travel Agent’s License The travel agent’s license is required by any person or company that wishes to operate a travel agency. According to the Hong Kong Travel Agents Ordinance, a travel agent can be categorized as an outbound travel agent or an inbound travel agent. According to the Travel Agents Ordinance (TAO) (Cap. 218), a travel agent can be categorized as an outbound travel agent or an inbound travel agent: Outbound Travel Agent: A person is an outbound travel agent if he carries on the business in Hong Kong of obtaining for another person – carriage, […]

1. Overview Hong Kong’s is the 10th largest trading economy in the world and is considered to be Asia’s leading trade and commercial center. According to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the total values of exports and imports increased by 10% to USD428 billion and 12% to USD483 billion respectively in 2011. One of the major factors that have contributed to Hong Kong’s status as one of the world’s largest trading economies is its free trade policy. Hong Kong does not impose any tariffs on the import or export of goods and minimizes other barriers to such trade. According to the Hong Kong Trade and Industry Department, import/export licensing is imposed only when there is a genuine need to fulfill obligations undertaken by Hong Kong to its trading partners, or to meet public health, safety or internal security needs. This guide provides information on the various aspects of conducting […]

The Hong Kong new Companies Ordinance was published in the Government Gazette in August 2012. It will become effective on 3 March 2014. From the Commencement Date, all the provisions in the Existing Ordinance will be repealed and replaced by provisions in the New Ordinance, except for the prospectus, and winding-up and insolvency provisions. These two areas will remain in the Existing Ordinance which will then be renamed the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance. The Securities and Futures Commission has indicated that it will lead the review of the prospectus regime and plans to move the prospectus regime into the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap 571). Separately, the Hong Kong Government has said the winding-up and insolvency regime will undergo a separate law review exercise. This article aims to explain the requirements of the new Companies Ordinance regarding the appointment of individual director by private companies. Introduction The […]

1. Introduction The new CO introduces a new “administrative restoration” procedure, which is a new process to administratively restore a company to the Companies Register by the Registrar of Companies (“the Registrar”) without the need for recourse to the Court of First Instance as required under Cap. 32. 2. Application for Restoration (1) Restoration of Local Company A local company dissolved pursuant to striking off action by the Registrar may apply for administrative restoration if the following conditions set out under section 761 of the new CO are met: (a) the company was in operation or carrying on business at the time its name was struck off the Companies Register; (b) if the company has any immovable property situate in Hong Kong which has become vested in the Government as bona vacantia, the Government has confirmed that it has no objection to the restoration; (c) the applicant must bring up […]

Overview Although Hong Kong does not have any specific law that governs offshore company formation, it is one of the most popular jurisdictions for setting up an offshore company owing to its low tax regime, absence of foreign exchange controls, political and economic stability, ease of offshore company setup, etc. Setting up an offshore company in Hong Kong is the perfect vehicle for conducting offshore banking activities, international trade, investment activities, and for asset protection. This guide sets out the advantages of Hong Kong incorporation, the options for registering an offshore company in Hong Kong, Hong Kong Offshore Company formation requirements and Hong Kong incorporation procedure and timeline. Hong Kong Offshore Company Incorporation Benefits The most common reasons behind setting up an offshore company in Hong Kong are: Ease of offshore company setup Hong Kong is ranked as one of the easiest places to do business in the world. Setting […]

Introduction The new Hong Kong Companies Ordinance (the ‘New Ordinance’) was passed by the Legislative Council on 12 July 2012 and is set to take effect from 3 March 2014. The last major review and amendment of the existing Companies Ordinance (Cap 32) (the ‘Existing Ordinance’) was undertaken in 1984. The majority of the provisions of the Existing Ordinance originated from the UK Companies Act 1929 and the statute was generally felt in need of overhaul. Upon its implementation, the New Ordinance replace the Existing Ordinance to become the legal framework for the formation and operation of companies in Hong Kong (including overseas companies operating in the jurisdiction). The changes to be introduced by the New Ordinance are extensive and will affect not just companies themselves but also parties who have dealings with companies, such as members and creditors. This article aims to explain in brief changes in respect of […]

Introduction The new Companies Ordinance (“the new CO”) introduces changes in relation to directors with a view to enhancing corporate governance, improving regulation and facilitating business. Directors’ Duty of Care, Skill and Diligence The new CO clarifies the standard of directors’ duty of care, skill and diligence. Section 465(2) of the new CO sets out a mixed objective and subjective test for the standard of a director’s duty to exercise reasonable care, skill and diligence. It also clarifies the rules on indemnification of directors against liabilities to third parties. Section 469 of the new CO permits a company to indemnify a director against liability incurred by the director to a third party if the specified conditions are met. Certain liabilities and costs must not be covered by the indemnity, such as criminal fines, penalties imposed by regulatory bodies, etc. Directors’ Conflicts of Interests To avoid directors’ conflicts of interests, the […]