Hong Kong Trade Declaration (TDEC)
A Hong Kong Trade Declaration (TDEC) is the import or export declaration that a trader must lodge, electronically, for virtually all goods imported into or exported/re-exported from Hong Kong — generally within 14 days of the shipment. Even though Hong Kong is a duty-free port, the declaration is required mainly for trade statistics and control, and a small declaration charge (and clothing/textiles levy where applicable) is payable.
The declaration captures the goods, quantities, values and Harmonized System codes, and is submitted through approved service providers to the Customs & Excise Department / Census and Statistics Department. Failing to lodge, or lodging late or inaccurately, can incur penalties. For traders and forwarders, the TDEC is the routine compliance step for moving goods through Hong Kong — quick and low-cost, but mandatory — and integrating its electronic lodgement into trade operations keeps Hong Kong shipments compliant. It is the paperwork counterpart to Hong Kong's otherwise frictionless free-port trade.
Hong Kong may be duty-free, but the trade declaration is still mandatory — lodged within 14 days for statistics and control, with penalties for lateness. It is the one routine compliance step in otherwise frictionless free-port trade, so building its electronic lodgement into operations keeps Hong Kong shipments clean.
Is a declaration needed if Hong Kong is duty-free?
Yes — a trade declaration must be lodged (generally within 14 days) for statistics and control, with a small declaration charge, even though no import duty applies.
What happens if it is not lodged?
Late, missing or inaccurate declarations can incur penalties.