What licence does a restaurant need in Hong Kong

What Licence Does a Restaurant Need in Hong Kong

A Hong Kong restaurant needs a food business licence from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD). If it serves alcohol, a separate liquor licence from the Liquor Licensing Board is also required. The Business Registration Certificate issued by the Inland Revenue Department is not a trade licence and does not authorise the operation of a restaurant.

Hong Kong Restaurant Licence Requirements

The licence required depends on the type of food business. The FEHD issues several categories of food business licence, each permitting different activities. An operator must apply for the correct category before opening.

Identify the correct FEHD licence category first. Then add any additional permits required for the premises, such as a liquor licence or a permit for outdoor seating.

General Restaurant Licence Hong Kong

A general restaurant licence is the standard licence for a full-service restaurant. It permits the sale of a wide range of food and drink for consumption on the premises, with cooking facilities on site. This licence covers traditional restaurants, fine dining establishments and casual dining venues where meals are prepared and served.

The FEHD inspects the premises before granting a general restaurant licence. It checks compliance with hygiene standards, ventilation, fire safety and sanitary facilities. Operators must also comply with the Building Ordinance and the Fire Safety Ordinance.

Other Food Business Licence Categories

If your business model does not fit a general restaurant, apply for a different category:

• Light refreshment restaurant - for premises serving mainly snacks, drinks and light meals, with limited or no cooking.
• Factory canteen - for a canteen operated within a factory that serves food primarily to workers on the premises.
• Food factory - for premises that manufacture, process or prepare food for supply to other businesses, not for direct consumption on site.

A food business licence cannot be transferred to another operator or to another location. Each licence is specific to the premises and the named operator.

Liquor Licence Hong Kong Restaurant

A restaurant that sells or offers any alcoholic beverage for consumption on the premises must hold a liquor licence issued by the Liquor Licensing Board. The board is an independent statutory body operating under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109).

Common licence categories for restaurants are:

• Club licence - for a restaurant operated by a members' club.
• Restaurant licence - the standard licence for a restaurant serving alcohol.
• Bar licence - for premises where alcohol is the primary offering.
• Hotel licence - for a restaurant within a hotel.

The Liquor Licensing Board considers the suitability of the applicant, the premises and the neighbourhood. It may attach conditions regarding operating hours, noise and the display of the licence. A separate liquor licence is required even if the restaurant already holds a food business licence.

Food Business Licence Hong Kong: Application and Compliance

Apply for a food business licence to the FEHD. The department publishes a list of required documents, including a plan of the premises drawn to scale, a certified copy of the Business Registration Certificate, and proof of compliance with building and fire safety regulations.

The FEHD website provides the current application forms and a fee schedule. Processing times vary by the complexity of the application and the need for inspections by other departments. Allow several weeks for a straightforward application.

Display the food business licence prominently on the premises. The FEHD conducts regular inspections, and non-compliance can result in suspension or revocation of the licence.

The Business Registration Certificate Is Not a Trade Licence

Every business in Hong Kong must register with the Inland Revenue Department and obtain a Business Registration Certificate. This is a tax registration document, not a trade licence. It confirms the business is registered for tax purposes but does not authorise any regulated activity, including the operation of a restaurant.

A restaurant operator must hold both a valid Business Registration Certificate and the appropriate food business licence from the FEHD. Operating without the required licence is an offence.