Hong Kong Licences and Permits: A Guide for Regulated Businesses
Learn which Hong Kong businesses need a separate licence beyond the standard Business Registration Certificate, from food and liquor to financial services.
Hong Kong Licences and Permits for Regulated Businesses
Every Hong Kong business needs a Business Registration Certificate from the Inland Revenue Department. This is a tax registration, not a trade licence. It confers no operating authority. Start a regulated trade without the proper licence and the relevant authority will issue a notice, often weeks or months after you begin. The licences and permits your business needs depend on its activities, not its business registration.
Hong Kong Business Licence Requirements
Licence requirements vary by industry. The starting point is the same for everyone: every sole proprietor and company must register with the Inland Revenue Department within one month of commencing business. The Business Registration Certificate simply puts the business on the tax register.
A separate licence or permit is required for each regulated activity. These are issued by the government department that oversees the specific trade. The activities are defined across multiple ordinances, each administered by a different bureau. The main categories are listed below.
Hong Kong Trade Licence vs Business Registration
A trade licence is permission from a regulatory body to conduct an activity that would otherwise be unlawful. Business registration is a tax requirement for all businesses, regardless of their activity.
Consider a restaurant. It needs a Business Registration Certificate and a general restaurant licence from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department. If it sells alcohol, it also needs a liquor licence from the Liquor Licensing Board. A consultancy providing business advice needs only the Business Registration Certificate because its activity is not regulated.
Hong Kong Regulated Activities Licence List
There is no single list of all regulated activities. Each sector is governed by its own ordinance. The table below shows the major categories and their respective issuing authorities.
| Sector | Regulated Activity | Issuing Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Food | Operating a food business | Food and Environmental Hygiene Department |
| Liquor | Selling liquor for consumption on premises | Liquor Licensing Board |
| Travel | Operating as a travel agent | Travel Industry Authority |
| Employment | Operating an employment agency | Commissioner for Labour |
| Insurance | Carrying on insurance intermediary business | Insurance Authority |
| Financial services | Engaging in securities or futures activities | Securities and Futures Commission |
| Money service | Operating a money service (remittance or change) | Customs and Excise |
| Money lending | Carrying on a money lending business | Under the Money Lenders Ordinance |
| Education | Operating a school or tutorial centre | Education Bureau |
| Trade | Importing or exporting controlled goods | Trade and Industry Department, Customs and Excise |
| Construction | Operating as a registered contractor | Buildings Department |
| Private care | Operating a residential care home for the elderly | Social Welfare Department |
| Health | Practising as a registered medical professional | Medical Council of Hong Kong |
| Transport | Operating a vehicle for hire | Transport Department |
Hong Kong Permit Application Process
The application process is specific to each licence. You submit an application to the relevant authority, usually with supporting documents like a floor plan, fire safety certificate and a copy of your Business Registration Certificate. Fees and processing times are set by the issuing authority and can change.
For food businesses, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department inspects the premises before issuing a general or light refreshment restaurant licence. The Liquor Licensing Board will consider public objections before granting a liquor licence. The Travel Industry Authority checks an applicant's financial standing and management experience. The Commissioner for Labour requires a sound business plan and adequate premises for an employment agency licence.
The Securities and Futures Commission assesses fitness and propriety for each of its 13 regulated activity types. Customs and Excise conducts background checks for money service operators.
Food and Drink Licences
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department issues four types of food business licence: general restaurant, light refreshment restaurant, factory canteen and food factory. The correct licence depends on the nature of the operation and the premises.
A liquor licence from the Liquor Licensing Board is required to sell alcohol for consumption on the premises. This is separate from any food licence. A restaurant serving alcohol must hold both.
Services Licences
Anyone arranging travel packages, selling airline tickets or providing other travel services must hold a licence from the Travel Industry Authority.
An employment agency must be licensed by the Commissioner for Labour under the Employment Agency Licence scheme. Operating without one is an offence.
Insurance intermediaries are regulated by the Insurance Authority. Anyone selling or advising on insurance products must be registered.
Schools and tutorial centres must register with the Education Bureau. This covers private schools, tutorial centres and other establishments providing a course of study.
Financial Services Licences
Securities and futures activities require a licence from the Securities and Futures Commission. The commission issues licences for Types 1 to 13 activities, including dealing in securities, asset management and advising on securities. Any corporation carrying on a regulated activity must be licensed.
Money service operators are licensed by Customs and Excise. This covers businesses providing money remittance or currency exchange services.
Money lenders are licensed under the Money Lenders Ordinance. Applications are considered by the Licensing Court, a magistrate. Money lending without a licence is an offence.
Trade Licences
Importing or exporting certain goods requires a licence or removal permit. Dutiable commodities, pharmaceuticals, textiles and strategic commodities are each controlled, administered by Customs and Excise or the Trade and Industry Department.
Most shipments require an import or export declaration. This is a separate requirement from any licence and is filed with the Trade and Industry Department or Customs and Excise, depending on the goods.
If your business trades in controlled goods, you must check if your products fall under a controlled category. The Customs and Excise website lists dutiable and strategic commodities.
Construction and Property Licences
Building works above a certain threshold require a registered contractor. The Buildings Department maintains the register of general building and specialist contractors. Anyone undertaking such works must be on it.
Property management companies need a licence from the Property Management Services Authority. This applies to firms managing buildings covered by a deed of mutual covenant.
Health and Social Care Licences
A residential care home for the elderly must be registered with the Social Welfare Department. The licensing requirements are set out in the Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) Ordinance (Cap. 459).
A medical practitioner must be registered with the Medical Council of Hong Kong. Dentists, chiropractors and pharmacists are each regulated by their own councils.
Transport Licences
A vehicle for hire, such as a taxi or public light bus, needs a licence from the Transport Department. A driving instructor also requires a licence. These are governed by the Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap. 374).
Broadcasting and Communications Licences
A television or radio broadcast service requires a licence from the Communications Authority. A fixed or mobile telecommunications network needs a licence under the Telecommunications Ordinance (Cap. 106). Internet service providers also require a licence.
Next Steps
For the specific steps to obtain each licence, refer to the dedicated pages covering the application process, required documents and issuing authority.
If an activity is not listed here, it likely does not require a separate licence beyond business registration. Verify this by checking the relevant ordinance or consulting a professional adviser. The Companies Registry website provides links to the relevant ordinances.