The Essential Guide to Securing Your Warehouse Licence in Hong Kong
- a22162
- Sep 30
- 6 min read
Hong Kong Warehouse Licence Guide
The Essential Guide to Securing Your Warehouse Licence in Hong Kong
Starting a logistics or storage business in Hong Kong? Understanding the specific requirements for a Warehouse Licence is crucial for compliance and smooth operations.
Hong Kong, a global trade hub, offers unparalleled logistical advantages. However, operating a warehouse, especially one handling controlled or specialized goods, requires specific permits beyond the standard business registration. This comprehensive guide breaks down the essential licences and the application process to ensure your business remains fully compliant.
Key Takeaways: Warehouse Licensing in Hong Kong
A general warehouse for non-dutiable, non-controlled goods typically does not require a specific "Warehouse Licence."
Specialized storage facilities—especially those handling Dutiable Commodities or Food/Refrigerated Goods—require mandatory licences from relevant government departments.
The primary licensing authorities are the Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD).
1. Dutiable Commodities Warehouse Licences
If your business involves the storage of dutiable commodities, you will absolutely need a licence from the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap 109).
Dutiable Commodities in Hong Kong primarily include:
Alcoholic Liquors
Tobacco
Hydrocarbon Oil (e.g., motor spirit, light diesel oil)
Methyl Alcohol
Types of C&ED Warehouse Licences:
The C&ED offers several types of licences for storing dutiable goods, which allow for the deferral of duty payments:
Licence Type | Purpose | Regulator |
General Bonded Warehouse Licence | Storage of general dutiable goods. | C&ED |
Public Bonded Warehouse Licence | Storage facilities for public use. | C&ED |
Licensed Warehouse Licence | General term for a warehouse licensed to store dutiable commodities. | C&ED |
How to Apply for a Dutiable Commodities Licence
Company Registration: The applicant company must be registered with the Business Registration Office in Hong Kong.
Appoint a Responsible Person: Nominate a staff member (preferably a Hong Kong resident with a HKID) as the responsible person for the intended activities. This person may be interviewed by C&ED.
Submit Application: Application for a new licence, renewal, or amendment must be submitted through the Dutiable Commodities System (DCS) or in person/by mail to the C&ED.
Premises Inspection: The C&ED will normally contact you for an inspection of the premises to ensure it is suitable for the storage of the specific dutiable goods and meets safety/security standards.
Fire Services Approval (for some goods): If storing large quantities of flammable goods like Hydrocarbon Oil, you must also possess a relevant Licence for Storage of Dangerous Goods from the Fire Services Department.
2. Cold Store Licence (Food and Refrigerated Storage)
If your warehouse is used for a food business that involves the storage of articles of food under refrigeration, you must obtain a Cold Store Licence from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD).
This licence is essential for any facility storing food, especially perishable goods, under controlled temperatures to ensure public health and safety.
How to Apply for a Cold Store Licence:
FEHD Application: Submit the required application form (e.g., FEHB 94) to the FEHD.
Compliance Check: The premises must comply with essential requirements related to health, building safety, and fire safety.
Inspection: The FEHD will inspect the warehouse to verify compliance with all regulations before granting a full licence.
3. Other Specific Control Licences
Depending on the nature of the goods you store, other specialized licences may be required, often in conjunction with import/export controls:
Strategic Commodities Licence (Trade and Industry Department): Required for the import/export of goods classified as strategic commodities (e.g., certain electronics, chemicals, or materials) under the Import and Export Ordinance.
Dangerous Drugs Licence (Department of Health): Required if your warehouse stores controlled pharmaceuticals or dangerous drugs.
Pesticide Licence (Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department): Required for the storage and sale of pesticides.
Next Steps: Ensuring Full Compliance
Before securing your warehouse space, it is highly recommended to:
Determine Your Goods: Clearly identify the type of commodities you will be storing (dutiable, refrigerated, strategic, etc.).
Consult the SUCCESS Business Licence Information Service (BLICS): The Hong Kong government's one-stop portal for business licences can help you identify all required permits based on your specific business activity.
Engage Professional Advice: Due to the complexity of local regulations (especially relating to building standards and fire safety), engaging a local advisor or consultant is strongly recommended to navigate the application and inspection process efficiently.
Operating a warehouse in Hong Kong is a strategic move, but legal compliance is non-negotiable. Securing the correct licence is the first step toward a successful and regulation-free operation.
Navigate Hong Kong Warehouse Licensing with Ease: How Bestar Hong Kong Provides the Essential Support
The Essential Guide to Securing Your Warehouse Licence in Hong Kong
The complexity of obtaining a Warehouse Licence in Hong Kong can be a significant hurdle for international businesses and local startups alike. While Hong Kong boasts a simplified tax system, the regulatory landscape for specialized storage—especially for dutiable goods or refrigerated items—requires meticulous attention to detail.
This is where a trusted corporate services partner, like Bestar Hong Kong, becomes indispensable. By leveraging their expertise, you can bypass bureaucratic bottlenecks, ensure compliance from day one, and accelerate your time-to-market in this dynamic logistics hub.
How Bestar Hong Kong Simplifies Your Warehouse Licence Application
Bestar Hong Kong specializes in a comprehensive range of corporate services, which naturally extends to helping businesses comply with Hong Kong's specialized licensing requirements, including those for logistics and storage.
Here is how their expertise ensures a smooth and successful application for your General Bonded Warehouse Licence, Cold Store Licence, or other necessary permits:
1. Pre-Application Strategic Consultation & Classification
Before any forms are submitted, the crucial first step is correctly identifying the required licence. A mistake here can lead to lengthy delays and application rejection.
Goods Assessment: Bestar assesses your specific commodities (e.g., alcohol, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, frozen food) to determine if they fall under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (C&ED) or require a Cold Store Licence (FEHD).
Licence Roadmapping: We provide a clear roadmap outlining the exact licences, permits, and regulatory bodies (C&ED, FEHD, Fire Services Department, etc.) involved in your specific warehouse operation.
2. End-to-End Documentation Management
Licensing bodies in Hong Kong require extensive, precise documentation—from company structure details to detailed floor plans.
Application Preparation: Bestar handles the preparation and filing of all necessary forms, such as the C&ED Dutiable Commodities application or the FEHD Cold Store Licence forms.
Proof of Compliance: We ensure you have the necessary supporting documents, including:
Valid Hong Kong Business Registration Certificate.
Proof of tenancy/ownership for the warehouse premises.
Necessary fire safety certificates and permits for dangerous goods (if applicable).
Responsible Person Appointment: Bestar guides you in appointing and preparing the mandatory "Responsible Person" (for Dutiable Commodities) for the required interview with the Customs and Excise Department.
3. Compliance and Premises Inspection Readiness
The success of a warehouse licence application often hinges on a physical inspection by the regulatory authority.
Regulatory Liaison: Bestar acts as your central point of contact, communicating directly with the Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) or the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD). This minimizes miscommunication and speeds up the process.
Pre-Inspection Audit: We can advise on the precise structural and security requirements for your facility to ensure it meets government standards before the official inspection, drastically reducing the risk of a fail.
Post-Submission Follow-Up: If the authorities have queries or require amendments, Bestar manages the submission of supplementary information swiftly, keeping your application on track.
4. Integrated Corporate Compliance Services
A warehouse licence is just one piece of the regulatory puzzle. Bestar's full suite of services ensures your entire Hong Kong entity remains compliant:
Company Formation: Streamlining the initial company registration and corporate secretarial services, which is a prerequisite for any licence application.
Accounting & Tax: Providing essential bookkeeping and tax filing services to maintain good standing with the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).
Audit and Advisory: Offering ongoing financial advisory and risk management services to ensure continuous operational and regulatory compliance post-licensing.
Secure Your Logistics Future in Hong Kong
The decision to operate a warehouse in Hong Kong is a commitment to efficiency and global connectivity. Don't let the licensing process become a barrier to entry.
By partnering with Bestar Hong Kong, you gain a strategic advantage: expertise that navigates the specifics of Dutiable Commodities licensing and Cold Store permits, allowing you to focus on your core business—logistics and trade.
Contact Bestar Hong Kong today to start your warehouse licensing journey with confidence and speed.
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