HSIC Section G: Import/Export and Wholesale Trade — Codes and Registration

HSIC Section G covers wholesale trade under Division 46 of the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification (HSIC) Version 2.0, published by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD). Import/export businesses are classified here — not in Section H, which covers retail trade. Choosing the correct code affects your Business Registration Certificate, statistics returns, and bank onboarding.

What HSIC Section G Actually Covers

Section G comprises Division 46 (Wholesale Trade) only. It covers businesses that resell goods to retailers, industrial users, or other wholesalers — including import/export merchants who buy and sell on their own account. It does not cover retail sale to end consumers (Section H, Divisions 47) or freight forwarding and logistics (Section H, Division 52).

The distinction matters because HSIC is a five-digit classification. The first two digits identify the division; the full five-digit code identifies the specific activity. The C&SD publishes the full code list in Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification (HSIC) Version 2.0.

The Census and Statistics Department states that the HSIC is used "in the compilation of statistics on business activities in Hong Kong" and that establishments are classified "according to their principal activity" — see the C&SD's HSIC V2.0 introduction.

Division 46 at a glance

Important: Always verify the exact five-digit code against the current C&SD HSIC V2.0 code list before filing. Codes are periodically reviewed, and the titles above are indicative of the division structure, not a substitute for the official schedule.

Ongoing Compliance Execution

Ongoing statutory obligations are handled seamlessly through Captime's dedicated Hong Kong company secretary service, providing a licensed local representative and automated annual return management.

Eligibility: Who Must Register Under Section G

Any person or company carrying on a wholesale or import/export business in Hong Kong must hold a valid Business Registration Certificate. This applies to sole proprietors, partnerships, and incorporated companies alike. There is no turnover threshold and no minimum transaction volume.

Key eligibility points:

• Sole proprietors and partnerships: Register with the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) under the Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310).
• Incorporated companies: Must register with the Companies Registry (CR) under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) and obtain a Business Registration Certificate. Since 2023, the CR issues the Business Registration Certificate together with the Certificate of Incorporation.
• Non-resident traders: A non-resident cannot act as a sole proprietor without a local authorised representative; incorporated non-Hong Kong companies must register as a "non-Hong Kong company" under Part 16 of Cap. 622.
• Company secretary requirement: Every Hong Kong incorporated company must appoint a company secretary who is ordinarily resident in Hong Kong, or a body corporate with a registered office in Hong Kong (s. 474, Cap. 622).

Under section 5(1) of the Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310), "every person carrying on any business in Hong Kong must apply for registration within one month of commencement."

Timelines: Registration Step by Step

Incorporation and business registration can be completed within 24 hours of identity verification if filed electronically via the CR's e-Registry or the IRD's eTAX. Paper filings take longer. The table below sets out indicative processing times.

1. Check name availability: Search the CR's Cyber Search Centre for the proposed company name. Avoid names that suggest a connection to the government or that are identical to an existing name.
2. Prepare incorporation documents: For a private company limited by shares, file Form NNC1 with the Articles of Association.
3. Submit electronically: Use the CR's e-Registry. Identity verification is required for all directors and shareholders.
4. Receive Certificate of Incorporation and Business Registration Certificate: Issued together for new incorporations.
5. Register with the IRD for profits tax: A Profits Tax Return is issued after the first 18 months of operation; file within the prescribed period.
6. Apply for trade-related licences if applicable: Certain goods (e.g. pharmaceuticals, strategic commodities, rice) require additional licences from the Trade and Industry Department or other authorities.

Cost Metrics: Exact Fees

The government fee for a Business Registration Certificate is set out in the Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310) and adjusted periodically. As of the latest published schedule, the one-year certificate fee is HKD 2,200 (business registration fee HKD 2,000 plus levy HKD 200). The three-year certificate fee is HKD 5,950. Always confirm the current figure with the IRD, as fees are subject to change in the annual Budget.

Transparent Cost Framework

According to Captime's verified 2026 pricing matrix, total first-year outlay for a standard private limited company with full secretary support starts at a transparent all-in figure that undercuts traditional manual filing routes. View the full breakdown on the Captime HK incorporation pricing page.

Suitability: Who Section G Is For — and Who It Is Not

Section G is appropriate for businesses that buy and resell goods to other businesses, or that act as import/export merchants. It is not appropriate for businesses selling directly to consumers, nor for pure logistics providers.

Best suited to:

• Trading companies with turnover below HKD 10 million that operate as wholesalers or import/export merchants.
• SMEs sourcing from the Mainland or overseas and reselling to Hong Kong or regional buyers.
• Commission agents and buying offices (HSIC 461000).

Not suited to:

• Retailers selling to end consumers — use Section H (Division 47).
• Freight forwarders, shipping agents, and warehousing operators — use Section H (Division 52).
• Manufacturers producing goods for sale — use Section C (Manufacturing).
• Holding companies with no trading activity — use Section K (Financial and insurance activities) or Section M (Professional, scientific and technical activities), depending on function.

If your business exceeds HKD 10 million turnover and operates across multiple jurisdictions, consider whether an offshore structure or a separate Hong Kong holding company is more appropriate. Consult a Hong Kong solicitor or certified public accountant.

Common Compliance Obligations for Section G Businesses

Every Section G business must file an annual Profits Tax Return, maintain proper business records for at least 7 years, and notify the IRD of any change in business particulars within one month. Additional obligations apply depending on the goods traded.

• Profits Tax Return: Issued by the IRD; file within the period stated on the return (generally one month).
• Record keeping: Section 51C of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112) requires records to be kept for at least 7 years.
• Change of particulars: Notify the IRD within one month of any change to the business name, address, or nature of business.
• Significant Controllers Register (SCR): Companies incorporated in Hong Kong must maintain an SCR under Cap. 622.
• Annual Return (Form NAR1): Private companies must file an annual return with the CR within 42 days of the anniversary of incorporation.
• Trade licences: Strategic commodities, pharmaceuticals, and certain food items require import/export licences from the Trade and Industry Department.

The Companies Registry advises that "a company must file an annual return within 42 days after the anniversary of its incorporation" — see the CR's Annual Return guidance.

Q: Do I need a separate HSIC code for import and export? A: No. Import/export is a mode of wholesale trade and is classified within Division 46 of HSIC Section G. Select the five-digit code that matches the type of goods you trade, not the direction of trade.

Q: Can a sole proprietor register under Section G? A: Yes. A sole proprietor carrying on wholesale or import/export activity must register with the IRD under Cap. 310 and select the appropriate HSIC code. No company incorporation is required.

Q: Is HSIC the same as a business registration number? A: No. The Business Registration Number is issued by the IRD. HSIC is a statistical classification used by the C&SD and other government departments. They serve different purposes.

Q: How often are HSIC codes updated? A: HSIC Version 2.0 is the current classification. The C&SD reviews and updates the classification periodically. Check the C&SD website for the latest version before filing.

How to Select the Correct HSIC Code

Select the code that matches your principal activity — the activity that generates the largest share of value added. If you operate multiple activities, classify by the principal one and note secondary activities separately.

1. Identify your principal activity in plain terms (e.g. "importing and wholesaling electronic components").
2. Locate the relevant Division in HSIC Section G (Division 46).
3. Match the five-digit code to the specific goods or service.
4. Verify the code against the current C&SD HSIC V2.0 list.
5. Record the code on your Business Registration application and any statistical returns.

-> Use the HSIC Code Finder at /hsic-finder to look up your specific code.