477202Retail sale of medicines and health supplements (with or without selling cosmetics and personal care products)
藥物及健康補給品零售店(兼售或不兼售化妝品及個人護理用品)
Why 6 digits?
HSIC subclasses are 6 digits. The first four match the international ISIC class; Hong Kong adds a two-digit local suffix for finer detail, especially across its import and export trade, so a code steps from a 4-digit class straight to a 6-digit subclass. More on the HSIC structure.
This activity involves the retail sale of medicines, health supplements, and related products, which may include vitamins, calcium, and other health-related items. It encompasses stores that sell pharmaceuticals, health supplements (excluding Chinese drugs and herbs), and may also offer cosmetics and personal care products.
This classification includes
- calcium and all kinds of vitamins, retail sale
- drugs for agricultural use, retail sale
- health supplements (except Chinese drugs and herbs), retail sale
- medicines and cosmetics stores
- veterinary medicine, retail sale
Classified elsewhere
These activities look similar but belong under different codes.
- edible swallows' nests, retail sale
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.
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
Offshore profits claim feasibility
LowThis activity is inherently tied to Hong Kong as it involves retail sales to local customers. Contracts are typically negotiated and concluded within the region, making it difficult to qualify for offshore treatment. The nature of the business requires a physical presence in Hong Kong.
Business registration wording
Suggested business nature for this activity
English
RETAIL SALE OF MEDICINES AND HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS
47/60 characters
Chinese 中文
藥物及健康補給品零售
10/30 characters
Companies
Licensed operators
Verified registry386 on the Pharmacy Register (Dept of Health); a sample below.
- EASTLE DISPENSARY LIMITEDPharmacy Register (Dept of Health)
- EC PHARMACY COMPANY LIMITEDPharmacy Register (Dept of Health)
- EUROMED DISPENSARY COMPANY LIMITEDPharmacy Register (Dept of Health)
- FU TAI DISPENSARY LIMITEDPharmacy Register (Dept of Health)
- GOLDEN PEAK PHARMACY LIMITEDPharmacy Register (Dept of Health)
- GOLDEN STAR DISPENSARY LIMITEDPharmacy Register (Dept of Health)
- HONEST 2000 LIMITEDPharmacy Register (Dept of Health)
- GRAND ROYAL DISPENSARY LIMITEDPharmacy Register (Dept of Health)
- GREAT PHARMACY LIMITEDPharmacy Register (Dept of Health)
- HEALTHY PHARMACY CO. LIMITEDPharmacy Register (Dept of Health)
- BEST TREE LIMITEDPharmacy Register (Dept of Health)
- HING SHING DISPENSARY COMPANY LIMITEDPharmacy Register (Dept of Health)
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 calendarFrequently asked questions
Do I need a license to sell health supplements?
Yes, you need to comply with local regulations and may require a license from the Department of Health.
Can I sell both medicines and cosmetics?
Yes, you can sell both, but ensure compliance with relevant regulations for each category.
What are the tax implications for my business?
Profits from retail sales in Hong Kong are subject to profits tax. Ensure proper accounting and compliance.
Incorporate in Hong Kong
Starting a retail sale of medicines and health supplements (with or without selling cosmetics and personal care products) 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.
Start incorporation with Emerhub