Hong Kong and Macau propose new tax and customs reforms

Hong Kong is proposing tax reforms aimed at attracting multinational and mainland companies to establish corporate treasury centres. According to PricewaterhouseCoopers, the proposed package includes a two-tier tax concession structure. A draft bill is expected to be presented to the Legislative Council in the first half of 2027. These centres would allow companies to centralize cash management, funding, and risk management, potentially lowering costs for cross-border operations.

In Macau, the government has proposed amendments to the Consumption Tax Regulation to implement a “payment-at-customs-clearance” system. This system would allow the Economic and Technological Development Bureau to collect taxes directly from importers’ pre-opened bank accounts at the point of customs clearance. The move aims to reduce administrative burdens and improve liquidity for businesses, particularly for importers of alcoholic and tobacco products, by eliminating the need for complex tax refund procedures when goods are short-shipped.