Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How to apply for Visa to travel to the United States?
A: Both Immigrant and Non-Immigrant Visa application information is available from the U.S. Consulate website http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/visa_services.html, or you may visit the Visa Information Unit located on the first floor of the U.S. Consulate General, 26 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong. Fax: (852) 2147-3586, or contact them by email at http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/visa_inquiry_form.html
Q: How do I start my business in Hong Kong?
A: Please visit the Invest Hong Kong website: http://www.investhk.gov.hk. This website includes all the information you need to know about starting your business in Hong Kong. How to register a company? Where to find suitable premises? What is the profit tax rate? How to get a work visa? What regulations would affect your business? And many other questions are answered on this site. The U.S. Commercial Service is a resource for U.S. firms that are interested in establishing sales and distribution networks in Asia. For more information, please visit http://export.gov/hongkong.
Q: Does the U.S. Consulate General have an official website?
A: Yes, the U.S. Consulate General website is http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov.
Q: Where can I find tariff (duty, customs) information for US and/or Hong Kong?
A: You can contact the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office in Hong Kong Inquiry Hotline: (852) 2524-1136, fax: (852) 2810-6550, email: sirhk@nwtbb.com or website: http://www.cbp.gov.
Q: How and where can I find information on importing Hong Kong (China) products to the U.S.?
A: You can contact the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office in Hong Kong Inquiry Hotline: (852) 2524-1136, fax: (852) 2810-6550, email: sirhk@nwtbb.com or website: http://www.cbp.gov.
Q: How to establish a new company in the U.S.?
A: Please note that each state has its own sets of law and regulations in terms of setting up a new office, it will be best for you to visit the web pages of each respective States: http://www.xx.gov (Note: xx stands for States abbreviation, e.g. California is CA, New York is NY etc.).
Q: If I need to ship goods from Hong Kong to USA, how do I do that?
A: There are many ways to deliver goods from Hong Kong to the US. The easiest and fastest way is to ship the goods via courier companies, such as Fedex, UPS, DHL, SpeedPost etc. Courier companies provide door to door service and facilitate the export declaration process. You may also ship goods via commercial shipping companies. Logistics firms and freight forwarders can also arrange your goods by air or by sea.
The cost of shipping is subject to the service details and volume of goods. Please check with courier or shipping companies for details. A shipping company directory is available on the Marine Department of Hong Kong Government website: http://www.mardep.gov.hk/en/pub_services/shipdir.html.
For more details of export and import business policies and procedures in Hong Kong, please visit the Hong Kong Government website: http://www.gov.hk/en/business/global/importexport/index.htm. And for information about the U.S. import procedures, please visit: http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/trade/basic_trade/.
Q: Where can I find U.S. export or re-export license information and verify end-user visit requests?
A: U.S. export control information is available at the Bureau of Industry and Security http://www.bis.doc.gov. If you receive an end-user visit request, you may send an email to carrie.chan@trade.gov for verification.
Q: Where can I find trade and investment figures?
A: You can find trade and investment figures from Consulate’s Statistics of the United States at http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/usinfo_statistics.html.
Q: Where can I get notarial service?
A: For notarial service please contact the American Consulate General, American Citizens Services, tel: (852) 2841-2211, email: acshk@state.gov, or visit http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/acs_notarial.html for details.
Q: How can I get assistance in exporting agricultural products, processed foods and wood products to Hong Kong?
A: The U.S. Department of Agriculture Trade Office (ATO) in Hong Kong assists U.S. exporters of agricultural products. ATO can be reached at tel: (852) 2841-2350; fax: (852) 2845-0943, email: ATOHongkong@usda.gov or visit http://www.usfoods-hongkong.net for details.
Q: If I want to register a product in the US, what do I need to do? Where can I find information on Patent and Trademark?
A: Please contact the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office at http://www.uspto.gov.
Q: Where can I find US importers information?
A: U.S. importers information can be located at the following website:
http://www.americanimporters.org.
Q: Where can I find US exporters information?
A: The Business Information Center maintains an extensive reference collection of U.S. suppliers of products and services, both published and in electronic format. These resources are readily available to Hong Kong and Macau importers free of charge. To use the facility, simply send your inquiries by fax: (852) 2810-0970, or email to: carrie.chan@trade.gov .
Q: What organization/department can help U.S. companies that have trade complaints with Hong Kong companies?
A: If you have trade complaints with Hong Kong companies, please contact the following department:
Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department
Overseas Trade Complaints
Mr. K. I. Poon, Senior Investigator
Tel: (852) 2398-5179
Fax: (852) 2398-0596
Email: ki_poon@customs.gov.hk
Website: www.customs.gov.hk
Q: How do I figure out import/export duties?
A: U.S. import duty information is available on the U.S. Customs & Broader Protection (CBP) website: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_programes/duty_rates/.
You may also visit Tariff Information Center at the United States International Trade Committee (USITC) website for tariff details. Website: http://www.usitc.gov/tata/index/htm. Hong Kong Trade and Industry Department also provides tariff enquires service. Please visit website: http://www.tid.gov.hk.
Q: Where can I find trade shows in the U.S.?
A: U.S. trade shows can be located at the following website:
http://www.tsnn.com.
Q: Where can I find trade shows in Hong Kong?
A: Hong Kong trade shows can be find at the following website: http://www.hktdc.com/info/trade-events/EX/en/Exhibitions.htm.
Q: Where can I find information on U.S. holidays?
A: You can find the federal holidays at http://www.opm.gov/fedhol/.
