CEPA (Mainland–Hong Kong)
CEPA (the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement) is the free-trade arrangement between mainland China and Hong Kong (with a parallel one for Macao). Under CEPA, goods of Hong Kong origin that meet the agreed rules of origin can be imported into mainland China at zero tariff, and the arrangement also progressively liberalises trade in services and investment for Hong Kong businesses.
For goods, this means Hong Kong-manufactured products qualifying under CEPA enter the mainland duty-free, provided origin is properly established and certified. CEPA gives Hong Kong companies preferential access to the huge mainland market ahead of other economies, reinforcing Hong Kong's role as a gateway and value-adding platform for China trade. Understanding CEPA — and whether goods qualify for its preferential origin treatment — matters to manufacturers and traders using Hong Kong as a base for the mainland market. It is a cornerstone of the economic integration between Hong Kong and mainland China.
CEPA lets qualifying Hong Kong-origin goods enter mainland China tariff-free, giving Hong Kong businesses preferential access to the world's largest market. For manufacturers and traders using Hong Kong as a China gateway, qualifying under CEPA's rules of origin is a direct commercial advantage — a cornerstone of Hong Kong–mainland integration.
What does CEPA give Hong Kong goods?
Zero-tariff access to mainland China for Hong Kong-origin goods meeting CEPA rules of origin, plus liberalised services and investment access.
What is required to benefit?
The goods must qualify as Hong Kong origin under CEPA rules and have their origin properly established and certified.