|
Destination
costs & procedures
Importation
of cars to Hong Kong
The Government does not encourage the use of Private Cars as a 'mode of
transport' but there is no existing policy to discourage or prohibit
the importation of second-hand cars.
No Import Licence is required, however an ‘Import
Return’ (CED 336) and an ‘Import
Declaration’ (CED 336A) must be filed with the Hong Kong
Government/Customs and Excise Department within 30 days of the car's
arrival in Hong Kong.
No Import Duty is charged, however there is a first 'Registration Tax'
(Amendment Ordinance No. 2 (1994)) that is levied at between 35%
& 100% of the CIF value/’Total Landed
Cost’. The ‘Total Landed Cost/Value’
means the total cost of the Motor Vehicle including the cost of
purchase and any extras or improvements, conversion and testing costs
prior to shipment to comply with the Type Approval Regulations (where
applicable), shipping/freight/marine insurance costs, Hong Kong arrival
costs and any other costs incidental to the purchases and importation
of the Motor Vehicle. The documentary proof of the total costs involved
should be presented to Customs and Excise in their original currency. A
depreciation allowance of 25% per annum on a reducing balance basis off
the purchase price is given (20% for diesel vehicles) on vehicles owned
overseas for a period of time. Registration Taxes are 35% on the first
Taxable Value up to HK$150,000, 65% on the next HK$150,000, 85% on the
next HK$200,000 and 100% on the remainder.
However, where the Customs and Excise Department is not satisfied that
the declared value reflects the true value of the motor vehicle, such
other value will be used as the Taxable Value, as may be determined by
the Customs and Excise Department having regard to the age of the Motor
Vehicle, the retail price in the place of origin of the motor vehicle
including the cost of materials and work necessary to put the vehicle
into the state necessary to meet first registration requirements.
Vehicles not classified as Personal Imports or Classic Vehicles must
comply with the Hong Kong Exhaust Emission Control and Conforming Noise
Regulations. Left Hand Drive vehicles are not permitted to be imported
permanently, except for use as Consular Vehicles or for non-road use.
Vehicles are subject to a Government Vehicles Inspection/MOT for
compliance with Hong Kong Construction and Maintenance Regulation and
will not be Registered or Licensed unless they pass the inspection.
Vehicle Licence Fees include the contribution to the TAVAS.
Documents required at destination are the UK Purchase Receipt - to
prove cost of vehicle and ownership, UK Registration Document issued in
the Importers Name - to prove year of manufacture, origin and
ownership, Shipping Documents, i.e. Bill of Lading and freight invoice,
Hong Kong Identity Card or Certificate of Incorporation if imported in
the name of a Limited Company - to prove identity, Cover Note of
Insurance Certificate - to prove that the Vehicle will be covered by
insurance after Registration, Passport, Drivers Licence and Emissions
and Noise Compliance Test Documentation unless exempt under the
Personal Import or Classic Vehicle concessions.
Further information can also be found on the internet at:
Approximate
charges payable in Hong Kong for cars
- Port/Unpacking
=
approx. HK$ 2000/4000.
- Licence Fees
= approx. HK$
5000/15,000.
- First Registration Tax (35 - 100%
of the Taxable
Value) = HK$ variable.
- Purchase of Number
Plates =
approx. HK$ 250/500.
- Motor Insurance (TPFT of Fully
Comprehensive)
= HK$ variable.
- Driving Licence
= HK$ 500/1000.
- Import Declaration &
Government Inspection
Fee = approx. HK$
500/1000.
- Attendance, Customs Clearance, Post
Shipment Preparation, Licensing,
Inspection & Registration and Delivery, if carried out by an
Agent = HK$ 5000/6000
+ costs.
Summary
of the type approval, emission control and conforming noise regulations
On 01/08/96 the HK Government added Conforming Noise requirements to
the Type Approval and Emission Control Regulations for all vehicles
being registered in HK for the first time. The figures for Vehicle
emissions are very strict especially for Vehicles manufactured from
1991 onwards. It is possible that a few new and second-hand
non-catalytic European cars cannot be converted to comply with the
required levels. Some cars, already fitted with factory catalytic
converters, only require to be tested and certified that they comply to
the new standards. Certification must be obtained from either:
- The vehicle manufacturer stating
that the particular vehicle being
imported complies with the HK Air Pollution and Noise Control
regulations, (this is for new Tourist Delivery Vehicles ordered through
the manufacturers dealership in Hong Kong), or
- A certified Motor Vehicle Emission
and Noise Testing Laboratory who
can give advice as to whether any particular vehicle can be converted
to meet the new requirements, can carry out such conversions where
possible and can provide the required documentation to satisfy the HK
authorities.
Apart from the emission control and noise level requirements the Type
Approval regulations also require the following specification
documentation/Certificate of Roadworthiness, traceable to the vehicle
manufacture, e.g. photocopy of the manufacturers workshop manual, or
letters detailing:
- Model code breakdown, i.e.
explanation as to the meaning of the
numbers/letters making up the chassis/vin number.
- Diagram showing the main components
and operation of the vehicles
braking systems, i.e. discs/drums, dual circuit braking operation, and
front/rear braking ratios.
- Overall length, width, height and
wheelbase dimensions.
The three possible exemptions from the Regulations are (no Diesel Car
exemption):
- Classic Vehicles, i.e. vehicles
manufactured over 20 years prior to
importation, which still have the same engine and which run on unleaded
petrol.
- Personal Imports (allowed once
every 5 years) which are vehicles owned
and used overseas for at least 6 months prior to shipment to HK. The
minimum documentation required is:
- UK Registration Document
- UK
Insurance Certificate
- Passport
- UK Driving Licence
- Purchase Receipt
and Shipping documents.
- Vehicles purchased Brand New that
were built to Hong Kong Standards and
imported within 6 months and that have been driven for less than 5,000
km.
Once imported to HK there are no time restrictions on when the car can
be sold.
|
