47Retail trade
零售業
This division encompasses the retail trade of goods, which includes the sale of products directly to consumers. It covers a wide range of retail activities, including both physical stores and online sales, across various sectors such as food, clothing, electronics, and household goods.
Groups in this division
Licences and approvals
What this activity needs to operate
Activities under this code trigger the following licensing regimes. Emerhub prepares and files each application on your behalf.
Bakery Licence
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD)
Required for the baking of bread and other bakery products for sale at any premises in Hong Kong, under the Food Business Regulation (Cap. 132X). Applies to bakeries producing goods on site whether sold there or elsewhere. A provisional licence option is available.
Required where baking happens on the retail premises
- Processing time
- FEHD guide flow: consulted departments reply within 24 working days of referral; letter of requirements issued within 7 working days of confirmation that the premises are suitable; final approval steps within 7 to 8 working days after compliance is confirmed
Official sourceVerified 2026-07-14
Composite Food Shop Licence
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD)
Authorises the sale, and preparation for sale, of a specified range of ready-to-eat items including coffee, tea, salad, sandwiches, sushi, sashimi, oysters and soft ice cream, where only electricity is used as fuel. Issued by the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene under the Food Business Regulation (Cap. 132X). A provisional licence option is available.
Covers ready-to-eat items such as sushi, salads and coffee where only electricity is used
- Processing time
- FEHD guide flow: site inspection within 7 working days of acceptance of the application; letter of requirements within 7 working days of confirmation of suitability; licence issue within 7 working days of receipt of acceptable compliance documents
Official sourceVerified 2026-07-14
Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Category A Registration
Customs and Excise Department (C&ED)
Registration under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615) for dealers in precious metals, stones or products who engage in non-cash transactions of HKD 120,000 or more in Hong Kong. Category A registrants may not carry out cash transactions at or above that threshold; the certificate of registration is generally valid for three years.
Applies to transactions of HKD 120,000 or more
Official sourceVerified 2026-07-14
Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Category B Registration
Customs and Excise Department (C&ED)
Registration under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615) for dealers in precious metals, stones or products who intend to carry out cash transactions of HKD 120,000 or more, in addition to non-cash transactions. Category B registrants are subject to a fit and proper test and AML/CTF supervision by C&ED; the certificate is generally valid for three years.
Required where cash transactions reach HKD 120,000
Official sourceVerified 2026-07-14
Fresh Provision Shop Licence
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD)
Required for the retail sale of fresh, chilled or frozen beef, mutton, pork, reptiles (including live reptiles), fish (including live fish) or poultry (including live poultry), under the Food Business Regulation (Cap. 132X). The licence fee is set by the number of food categories sold rather than floor area.
- Processing time
- FEHD guide flow: letter of requirements issued within 7 working days of receipt of confirmation from the departments concerned that the premises are suitable for licensing; final approval steps within 7 to 8 working days after compliance is confirmed
Official sourceVerified 2026-07-14
Siu Mei and Lo Mei Shop Licence
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD)
Required for the retail sale of siu mei (Chinese roasted meat) or lo mei (marinated meat) obtained from licensed sources, under the Food Business Regulation (Cap. 132X). Operators who prepare siu mei or lo mei on the premises need a Food Factory Licence instead. The annual fee is a fixed rate regardless of premises size.
- Processing time
- FEHD guide flow: letter of requirements issued within 7 working days of departmental clearance; final approval steps within 7 to 8 working days after compliance is confirmed
Official sourceVerified 2026-07-14
Wholesale Dealer Licence (and Pharmacy / Authorized Seller of Poisons registration)
Department of Health (Drug Office) and Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong
A company dealing in any poison or pharmaceutical product by way of wholesale must first obtain a Wholesale Dealer Licence under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138), with additional permits required for antibiotics and dangerous drugs. Retail sale of controlled medicines from a pharmacy requires registration of the premises as an Authorized Seller of Poisons under the personal control of a registered pharmacist. Premises must be commercial or industrial with adequate lockable storage, and a person-in-charge must be approved by the Pharmacy and Poisons (Wholesale Licences) Committee.
Retail pharmacies need Authorized Seller of Poisons registration
- Processing time
- Department of Health performance pledge: application processed and approved within two months if all required documents are submitted and storage facilities are satisfactory
Official sourceVerified 2026-07-14
Standard compliance
Compliance every Hong Kong company shares
Beyond anything specific to this activity, every Hong Kong company handles two-tiered profits tax, the annual return (Form NAR1) within 42 days of its incorporation anniversary, audited accounts, MPF enrolment for staff, and a company secretary. Emerhub runs all of it on your behalf.
See the full Hong Kong compliance calendarIncorporate in Hong Kong
Starting a retail trade business in Hong Kong?
Emerhub incorporates your company, registers the business nature above with the IRD, files every licence application, and runs your company secretary and compliance calendar. You provide the documents; Emerhub handles every government interaction.
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