Hong Kong imports and exports
Your partner for air & sea freight
Hong Kong, formerly a British Crown Colony and now part of the People’s Republic of China, retains a distinct economic role and is one of East Asia’s dynamic urban centres. Located at the mouth of the Pearl River, it provides a valuable gateway for trade with China.
With Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong International Airport, the city has two major logistics hubs in East Asia. Despite strong competition from nearby Shenzhen, Hong Kong remains an important gateway alongside mainland China. Its infrastructure and distinct trading and customs framework have long made it a valued connection for commerce with China and East Asia.
Your strong partner for Hong Kong imports and exports
Together with established local partners, Sea, Air, Transport & Service offers logistics solutions for your trade with Hong Kong and beyond. Whether you require sea freight or air freight, we handle your transport professionally and reliably. We can also help with relocations to or from Hong Kong. Many German companies have their own offices and employees in Hong Kong.
Our partner presence in many other Chinese cities and East Asian countries also enables us to offer transport solutions to the Far East using Hong Kong as an intermediate hub. Our services go beyond port-to-port or airport-to-airport transport. We arrange collection and delivery for destinations across East Asia and transport your goods to the required location. The service encompasses transport itself and additional support such as handling and customs clearance.
Benefit from our experience
Rely on our years of experience and that of our partners in Hong Kong. If you have questions or would like advice, we are here to help. Simply use our contact form, email us or give us a call. We can also prepare a specific quotation promptly if you already have further details of your Hong Kong export, import or relocation requirements.
Hong Kong’s economy: historical profile and 2014 trade figures
- the historical economic profile described Hong Kong as a highly developed, wealthy economy with significant inequality, using a GDP-per-capita figure above US$53,000 at purchasing power parity;
- foreign trade plays a major role in the city’s economy. In 2014, trade reached a volume of €768 billion;
- in that historical profile, re-exports represented 98% of Hong Kong’s exports, with more than half linked to the People’s Republic of China;
- the main trading partners listed alongside China were the United States, the EU, Taiwan, Japan and Singapore;
- Germany was described as Hong Kong’s main EU trading partner. In 2014, German imports from Hong Kong amounted to €1.4 billion and exports to Hong Kong to €5.9 billion.
Major airports and seaports:
| Airport / seaport | IATA code / UN/LOCODE | City served |
| Hong Kong International Airport | HKG | Hong Kong |
| Victoria Harbour | HK HKG | Hong Kong |
01. The right partner!
Benefit from our experience in transport to and from Hong Kong.
Our extensive network in Hong Kong and competitive terms make us a strong partner.
02. What do you need?
Hong Kong: your freight forwarder for imports & exports
As a free port and one of Asia’s major transshipment hubs, Hong Kong is a central link in trade between Germany, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. SATS Group organises reliable import and export services on this route. Major product groups include electronics and electronic components, consumer goods, machinery, textiles and high-value spare parts. Whether you have a single shipment or regular volumes, we manage your supply chain with continuity and transparency.
Transport routes to Hong Kong
- Sea freight: Shipping through major European ports, including Hamburg and Rotterdam, to the container terminals at Kwai Tsing. Depending on the route and transshipment arrangements, transit takes approximately four to six weeks. We offer FCL and LCL solutions.
- Air freight: Fast connections through Hong Kong International Airport, one of the world’s major cargo airports, typically taking a few days for time-critical and high-value shipments.
- Multimodal: On request, we combine sea and air freight (sea–air) and use Hong Kong as a distribution hub for the region.
Customs & documents
Hong Kong is a free port and generally does not levy ordinary import or export tariffs. Excise duties apply to certain product groups, including alcohol, tobacco and specified mineral oils. Its status as a separate customs territory and WTO member nevertheless entails declaration and documentary requirements. There is no free trade agreement between the EU and Hong Kong, so exports from the EU remain subject to normal export formalities, while imports into Germany and Europe require the usual EU customs clearance. We assist with commercial invoices, packing lists, proof of origin and the complete customs process.
For your shipments on the Hong Kong route, rely on SATS Group’s experience. From collection through sea or air freight to customs-compliant delivery, we coordinate your shipment through one point of contact.