Your Ultimate Guide: How to Register a New Bonded Warehouse Company in Hong Kong

Your Ultimate Guide: How to Register a New Bonded Warehouse Company in Hong Kong | Bestar

Hong Kong Bonded Warehouse Registration Guide

Your Ultimate Guide: How to Register a New Bonded Warehouse Company in Hong Kong

Hong Kong, with its strategic location, free port status, and robust legal system, is a prime location for international trade and logistics. Establishing a bonded warehouse company in Hong Kong is a strategic move, especially for businesses dealing with dutiable commodities or those looking to leverage the city's role as a gateway to Mainland China.

This comprehensive guide breaks down the essential steps to register your new bonded warehouse business in Hong Kong.

Phase 1: Establish Your Core Business Entity

Before you can apply for any specific warehouse license, you must first establish a legally registered business entity in Hong Kong. The most common choice for foreign and local businesses is a Private Limited Company.

Step 1: Company Name & Structure Selection

• Choose a Name: Select a unique company name in English, Chinese, or both. Perform a free search on the Companies Registry (CR) to ensure the name is not already in use.

  
  

• Determine Structure: A Private Limited Company is recommended, as it offers limited liability protection to its shareholders.

Step 2: Fulfill Basic Incorporation Requirements

A Hong Kong private limited company requires:

• Minimum 1 Shareholder: Can be an individual or a corporate entity, of any nationality.

  
  

• Minimum 1 Director: Can be an individual (at least 18 years old) or a body corporate. If a natural person, they can be of any nationality.

  
  

• Company Secretary: Must be a Hong Kong resident or a Hong Kong-incorporated body corporate.

  
  

• Registered Office Address: A physical address in Hong Kong (not a P.O. Box).

  
  

• Minimum Share Capital: No minimum is legally required, though HKD 1 is common.

Step 3: Company Registration with the Companies Registry (CR) & Inland Revenue Department (IRD)

Submit the following documents (usually electronically or in hard copy) to the Companies Registry:

1. Incorporation Form (Form NNC1)

   
   

2. A copy of the company’s Articles of Association

   
   

3. Notice to the Business Registration Office (IRBR1)

Upon successful registration, you will receive the Certificate of Incorporation and the Business Registration Certificate (BRC). This process typically takes one to four business days online.

Phase 2: Secure Your Warehouse License (Customs & Excise Department)

Once your general business is incorporated, the crucial step for a bonded warehouse is obtaining the necessary license from the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department (C&ED). This is specifically required if your business involves the storage of dutiable commodities (like alcoholic liquors, tobacco, hydrocarbon oil, and methyl alcohol) under bond.

Step 4: Dutiable Commodities License Application

You will need to apply for a Warehouse Licence for the storage of dutiable commodities. The types of licenses include:

• Public Bonded Warehouse Licence

  
  

• General Bonded Warehouse Licence

  
  

• Licensed Warehouse Licence

The application is submitted to the C&ED.

Key Requirements for the Licence Application:

• Company Registration Proof: Must be a company registered with the Business Registration Office (from Step 3).

  
  

• Appoint a Responsible Person: The company must appoint a responsible person(s) for the licensed activities. This person is preferably a Hong Kong resident holding a valid HKID card. An interview with this person may be conducted.

  
  

• Premises & Proof of Address: You must provide proof of a tenancy agreement or ownership for the specific premises to be used as the bonded warehouse.

  
  

• Premises Inspection: The C&ED will inspect the proposed warehouse premises to ensure they meet security, safety, and administrative requirements for the storage of dutiable goods.

  
  

• Dutiable Commodities System (DCS): You will need to interact with the DCS for license applications, amendments, and potentially for tracking dutiable goods movements.

  
  

• Other Permits: If you are storing certain products, such as large quantities of hydrocarbon oil or liquor, you may also need a Licence for Storage of Dangerous Goods from the Fire Services Department.

Step 5: Compliance and Post-Licensing

• Bonded Status: Once licensed, the warehouse is under customs control, meaning the dutiable goods stored there are exempt from duty payments until they are removed for local consumption. Goods can be stored, repacked, or processed simply before re-exporting duty-free.

  
  

• Record Keeping: Maintaining accurate records and ensuring the safekeeping of goods is a mandatory requirement.

  
  

• Customs Attendance: Customs attendance is often required for specific activities like the destruction of dutiable goods, sample drawing, or denaturing of liquors.

Phase 3: Final Setup and Operation

Step 6: Open a Corporate Bank Account

Once you have your Certificate of Incorporation and BRC, you can open a corporate bank account with a local or international bank in Hong Kong. This is essential for managing local and international transactions.

Step 7: Ongoing Compliance

Maintain compliance with the C&ED’s regulations, including:

• Annual renewal of the Warehouse Licence.

  
  

• Filing of Import and Export Declarations with the C&ED (usually within 14 days after import or export) for all shipments, whether dutiable or non-dutiable, unless exempted.

  
  

• Annual filing of financial statements with the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).

Summary of Key Steps

Phase	Action	Authority
I. Business Setup	Register Company & Obtain BRC	Companies Registry (CR) & IRD
II. Licensing	Apply for Warehouse Licence (Dutiable Goods)	Customs and Excise Department (C&ED)
II. Licensing	Secure Relevant Permits (e.g., Fire Safety)	Fire Services Department
III. Operations	Open Corporate Bank Account	Commercial Banks
III. Operations	Establish Record-Keeping & Compliance Systems	C&ED, IRD

By following these structured phases, your new bonded warehouse company will be legally registered and licensed, ready to leverage Hong Kong's unparalleled trade advantages. Due to the complexity of licensing and customs procedures, engaging a local professional service provider for company formation and license application is highly recommended.

Navigate Compliance with Confidence: How Bestar Hong Kong Can Help Register Your Bonded Warehouse Company

Your Ultimate Guide: How to Register a New Bonded Warehouse Company in Hong Kong

Starting a bonded warehouse company in Hong Kong is a high-value, high-compliance undertaking. While Hong Kong's system is efficient, successfully securing the necessary Warehouse Licence from the Customs and Excise Department requires meticulous preparation that goes far beyond standard company registration.

This is where the specialized expertise of a corporate service provider like Bestar Hong Kong becomes invaluable, transforming a complex regulatory journey into a streamlined path to operation.

Phase 1: Streamlining Hong Kong Company Incorporation (The Legal Foundation)

The first hurdle is establishing your base corporate entity. Bestar excels at quickly and efficiently managing this crucial initial phase:

Bestar Hong Kong Service	Your Benefit
Efficient Company Formation	Handles all filings with the Companies Registry (CR) and Inland Revenue Department (IRD) to secure your Certificate of Incorporation and Business Registration Certificate (BRC), typically in a few days.
Statutory Compliance & Secretary	Acts as your mandatory Company Secretary, ensuring ongoing compliance with the Companies Ordinance, managing statutory records, and filing annual returns.
Registered Office Address	Provides a legally required Hong Kong registered address for official correspondence, saving you the immediate expense of a physical office.
Director & Shareholder Services	Ensures your corporate structure meets Hong Kong's legal requirements for directors and shareholders, providing clarity on governance from day one.

Phase 2: Mastering the Customs & Excise License Application (The Critical Step)

The most complex part of setting up a bonded warehouse is obtaining the specialized Warehouse Licence from the C&ED, particularly for dutiable goods. This process demands a deep understanding of customs regulations and premises requirements.

Bestar Hong Kong Service	Your Benefit
Pre-Licensing Consultancy	Provides expert advice on selecting the correct type of licence (General Bonded Warehouse, Public Bonded Warehouse, etc.) based on your specific trade plan (e.g., storage of alcoholic liquors or tobacco).
Documentation & Submission	Prepares and meticulously compiles the extensive application documents required by the C&ED, including detailed corporate financial statements and procedural documentation.
"Responsible Person" Appointment	Assists in the preparation and briefing of your appointed Responsible Person (often a mandatory Hong Kong resident) for the C&ED interview, ensuring all criteria are met.
Liaison with Authorities	Acts as the professional intermediary with the C&ED and the Fire Services Department (for dangerous goods permits), proactively addressing queries and ensuring seamless coordination for the mandatory premises inspection.
Compliance System Setup	Advises on the essential Customs procedures and record-keeping systems required to remain compliant once the licence is granted, mitigating the risk of future penalties.

Phase 3: Comprehensive Post-Incorporation Support (Long-Term Success)

A bonded warehouse requires meticulous and continuous financial and trade compliance. Bestar offers a suite of ongoing services to ensure your business remains compliant and efficient:

• Accounting & Bookkeeping: Manages daily transactions and prepares accurate financial records essential for warehouse inventory tracking and tax purposes.

  
  

• Tax Advisory & Filing: Provides expert advice on Hong Kong's tax system, including profits tax filing and managing duty deferral aspects unique to bonded operations.

  
  

• Audit Services: Facilitates the mandatory annual audit, ensuring your financial statements meet the standards of the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).

  
  

• Bank Account Opening Assistance: Leveraging established relationships with local and international banks, Bestar helps fast-track the often-challenging process of opening a corporate bank account for your trading and logistics business.

Your Competitive Advantage

By partnering with Bestar Hong Kong, you gain a single point of contact for legal, corporate, and specialized trade licensing, allowing you to:

• Save Time & Cost: Avoid bureaucratic delays and costly errors by relying on proven processes.

  
  

• Ensure Full Compliance: Minimize exposure to legal risks and penalties associated with improper licensing or customs documentation.

  
  

• Focus on Logistics: Dedicate your resources to securing your warehouse location, managing inventory, and growing your trade routes, rather than being bogged down in paperwork.

Don't let regulatory complexity slow your entry into Asia’s logistics hub. Contact Bestar Hong Kong today to secure your bonded warehouse licence and unlock the full potential of your global supply chain.