Hong Kong - United Kingdom Trade Relations

Hong Kong and the United Kingdom are Important Trading Partners

  • In 2023, bilateral merchandise trade between Hong Kong and the United Kingdom (UK) amounted to £13.3 billion (HK$130 billion), increased by 19.0% over 2022.
  • Goods imported from the UK accounted for 1.5% (£7.2 billion or HK$70 billion) of Hong Kong's total merchandise imports in 2023. Major goods imported from the UK to Hong Kong in 2023 were non-electric engines and motors, works of art, collectors' pieces and antiques as well as jewellery.
  • Hong Kong-origin goods exported to the UK accounted for 4.2% (£0.3 billion or HK$3 billion) of Hong Kong's total domestic exports in 2023. Hong Kong's major domestic exports to the UK in 2023 included jewellery, precious metal ores and concentrates as well as silver and platinum.

Hong Kong is an Important Entrepot for Sino-UK Trade

  • Hong Kong is an important entrepot for merchandise trade between the UK and Mainland China. In 2023, around 6% (£3.5 billion or HK$34 billion) of Mainland China's exports to the UK, and around 10% (£1.7 billion or HK$16 billion) of Mainland China's imports from the UK, were routed through Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is an Important Location for UK Interests

  • Hong Kong is a separate customs territory, and participates in the World Trade Organisation as a full and separate member, using the name "Hong Kong, China".
  • Hong Kong welcomes overseas investments and offers an environment in which there is a free flow of capital and return on investment without exchange controls.
  • As at 3 June 2024, there were 130 regional headquarters, 190 regional offices and 400 local offices in Hong Kong with parent companies located in the UK. *
  • As at end-2022, the position of inward direct investment from the UK amounted to £166 billion (HK$1,570 billion) at market price. The UK was an important source of inward direct investment in the banking, investment and holding, real estate, professional and business services sectors.
  • Hong Kong is one of the world's major financial centres. As at end-2023, five out of the 151 licensed banks in Hong Kong were owned by UK interests.
  • As at 30 June 2024, of the 157 insurance companies authorised in Hong Kong, 9 are UK companies. UK companies also participate actively in securities and futures trading, investment advice and fund management in Hong Kong.
  • Hong Kong has signed an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement with the United Kingdom. Please click here for more information.
Value in HK$ billion (in £ billion)
  Summary of Hong Kong's Trade with UK
  2022 % Change
2022/2021		 2023 % Change
2023/2022
Domestic Exports 1.2
(0.1)		 -74.6 2.8
(0.3)		 +121.2
Re-exports 47.2
(4.9)		 -31.1 57.2
(5.9)		 +21.1
Total Exports 48.5
(5.0)		 -34.0 60.0
(6.2)		 +23.7
Imports 60.5
(6.3)		 -5.8 69.8
(7.2)		 +15.3
Total Trade 109.0
(11.3)		 -20.8 129.7
(13.3)		 +19.0

Trade and Industry Department
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

December 2024

Note:

1
Exchange rate in 2022: £1 = HK$9.67; Exchange rate in 2023: £1 = HK$9.73
2
Statistics in this fact sheet are sourced from the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the WTO.
3
While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the above information, the Department cannot guarantee this to be so and will not be held liable for any reliance placed on the same.
*
Figures are rounded to the nearest ten.
2025-03-21
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