DUTY-FREE ALLOWANCE INCREASED

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today welcomed an increase to the duty-free allowance for Mainland residents entering the Mainland from Hong Kong.

The central government will raise the duty-free allowance for luggage articles brought into the Mainland by Mainland visitors travelling from Hong Kong from the current level of RMB5,000 to RMB12,000. An additional allowance of RMB3,000 for additional duty-free goods purchased at port entry duty-free stores will be retained, bringing the total duty-free allowance to RMB15,000.

The Hong Kong SAR Government expressed its sincere gratitude for the central government’s response to its proposals on the matter.

The new measure will be applicable to six land ports, including Lo Wu, Futian (Lok Ma Chau Spur Line), Shenzhen Bay, West Kowloon Station (for the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, from July 1. It will be implemented at all ports from August 1.

Chief Executive John Lee said he was grateful to the central government for its care and support for Hong Kong and for introducing various measures to promote the city’s economic development.

He said the new measure will enhance the shopping experiences of Mainland visitors to Hong Kong, while stimulating the city’s retail atmosphere and adding greater vibrancy to the local economy.

It is roughly estimated that the new arrangements will bring additional shopping expenditure to Hong Kong of somewhere between HK$8.8 billion and HK$17.6 billion, generating value-added of between HK$2.7 billion and HK$5.4 billion.

The Hong Kong SAR Government will carry out promotional efforts to inform Mainland visitors and related trades about the new arrangements. Additionally, the Hong Kong Tourism Board will hold a summer promotional event on July 11 to distribute offers covering sightseeing, transport, dining and consumption discounts. Full support will be given to various other large-scale consumption and promotion activities.

---

PREVIOUSNEXT