Hong Kong Licence Lookup by Industry: Find Which Permits Your Business Needs
Use our Hong Kong licence lookup by industry to quickly find the permits your business needs to operate.
Hong Kong Licence Lookup by Industry to Find Your Required Permit
Every Hong Kong business needs a Business Registration Certificate from the Inland Revenue Department. This certificate confirms your business exists for tax purposes. It is not a trade licence and does not authorise any regulated activity. For specific trades, you must obtain a separate licence or permit from the relevant department. Match your industry to its regulator and permit name in the table below.
Hong Kong Business Licence Search
Identify your primary business activity. Match it to the regulator in the table. Each regulator issues specific licences. The table directs you to the detail page for full requirements.
| Industry Group | Regulator | Typical Licence or Permit | Link to Detail Page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food and drink (restaurants, takeaway, food manufacturing) | Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) | General restaurant licence, light refreshment restaurant licence, food factory licence, factory canteen licence | General restaurant licence, Light refreshment restaurant, Food factory licence |
| Alcoholic beverage sales (on-premises consumption) | Liquor Licensing Board | Liquor licence | Liquor licence |
| Travel agency services | Travel Industry Authority | Travel agent licence | Travel agent licence |
| Employment agency services | Commissioner for Labour, Labour Department | Employment agency licence | Employment agency licence |
| Insurance intermediary services | Insurance Authority | Insurance intermediary licence | Insurance intermediary licence |
| Private schools and tutorial centres | Education Bureau | School registration or tutorial centre registration | Education centre licence |
| Securities, futures, and asset management | Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) | Regulated activity licence (Types 1 to 13) | SFC licence |
| Money transmission or remittance | Customs and Excise Department | Money service operator licence | Money service operator licence |
| Money lending (consumer or business loans) | Commissioner of Police (licensing authority) | Money lender licence under the Money Lenders Ordinance | Money lender licence |
| Import/export of controlled goods | Trade and Industry Department; Customs and Excise Department | Import licence, export licence, removal permit, import declaration | Import/export licence |
| Dutiable commodities (tobacco, alcohol, fuel) | Customs and Excise Department | Dutiable commodities licence | Dutiable commodities licence |
| Pharmaceutical products and medicines | Department of Health | Pharmaceutical licence, wholesale dealer licence, import/export permit | Pharmaceutical licence |
What Licence Do I Need Hong Kong
Start with the table above. Every regulated industry in Hong Kong is overseen by a specific government department. The licence name is direct. A restaurant needs an FEHD licence. Securities advice requires an SFC licence. The table lists the most common categories. For an activity not listed, consult the Do you need a licence guide for a step-by-step process to determine your obligations.
Hong Kong Trade Licence Checker
There is no official government trade licence checker, but the table functions as one. Each row identifies the regulator and permit name. If you import goods, check whether they are controlled under the Import and Export Ordinance. Most shipments need an import declaration, even without a separate licence. Dutiable commodities, pharmaceutical products, textiles, or strategic commodities require a separate licence or permit from Customs and Excise or the Trade and Industry Department.
Find Hong Kong Permit by Industry
Locate your industry group in the left column. Each group links to a dedicated page with the application process, required documents, and licence conditions. For example:
- Food industry: a food factory licence from the FEHD imposes structural and hygiene requirements different from a general restaurant licence.
- Services industry: an employment agency must be licensed by the Commissioner for Labour before placing workers.
- Financial services industry: securities and futures activities need a licence from the Securities and Futures Commission, classified by regulated activity Type.
- Trade industry: exporters of strategic commodities need a permit from the Trade and Industry Department. Importers of dutiable commodities must hold a licence from Customs and Excise.
Each detail page provides the application forms, fees, and processing timelines for that permit.
Additional Regulated Activities Not Listed Above
Some activities fall under regulators not in the main table but still require licensing. Examples include:
- Amusement game centres: require a licence from the FEHD.
- Karaoke establishments: require an FEHD permit and a music licence.
- Beauty and massage establishments: require a licence from the FEHD for certain services.
- Childcare centres: regulated by the Social Welfare Department.
- Money service operators: require a licence from Customs and Excise under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance.
For these and other activities, refer to the individual licence pages or consult the Do you need a licence guide.
Next Steps After Identifying Your Licence
Review the corresponding detail page once you have identified your licence. Each page explains the application process, required documents, fees, conditions, and ongoing compliance obligations, including renewals and inspections. If your business operates across multiple regulated activities, you may need more than one licence. A restaurant serving alcohol needs both an FEHD general restaurant licence and a liquor licence from the Liquor Licensing Board.
For any activity not covered, the Do you need a licence guide provides a methodical approach to checking your obligations. That page covers all remaining scenarios, including purely online businesses and those handling controlled goods.
Sources
More on licences & permits.