About Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s climate is sub-tropical and tends towards temperate for nearly half a year. January and February are the “coldest” months due to the occasional cold fronts. Temperatures during these months could drop below 10˚C in urban areas.

Spring (March – mid May): warm and humid. Temperatures range from 18-27˚C (64-80˚F). Humidity averages 82%.

Summer (late May – mid September): sunny and hot, with occasional rain. Temperatures range from 26-33˚C (78-91˚F). Typical day-time temperature is over 30˚C (86˚F). Humidity is high at 90%.

Autumn (late September – early December): sunny and cool. Temperatures range from 18-28˚C (64-82˚F). Humidity averages 72%. It is the end of the typhoon season, so a typhoon is still possible but unlikely.

Winter (mid December – February): cool and dry. Temperatures range from 14-20˚C (57-68˚F) Humidity averages 72%.

Tropical cyclones normally occur in Hong Kong during the months of May to November. Tropical cyclone advisory bulletins and/or warnings are issued by the Hong Kong Observatory whenever a tropical cyclone is centred within 800km of, and may pose a threat to, the territory. 

The Hong Kong Observatory uses numbers 1, 3, 8, 9 and 10 to signify the strength of a tropical cyclone in the vicinity of Hong Kong. 

SIGNAL 1: A tropical cyclone is centred within 800km of Hong Kong and may later possibly affect the territory. 
THE FAIR REMAINS OPEN, OR WILL OPEN. 

SIGNAL 3: Strong wind is expected or blowing generally in Hong Kong near sea level, and the wind condition is expected to persist. Winds are normally expected to become generally strong in Hong Kong within 12 hours after this signal is issued. 
THE FAIR REMAINS OPEN, OR WILL OPEN. 

SIGNAL 8 AND ABOVE: Gale or storm force wind is expected or blowing in Hong Kong near sea level, which may increase in strength and the conditions are expected to persist. Winds are normally expected to reach gale force generally in Hong Kong within 12 hours after a No. 8 signal replaces No. 3 signal. 

In the event of a Signal 8 and above being issued, a decision will be made by the Organiser on whether the Fair will open, or remains open. 

IF THE FAIR REMAINS OPEN, OR WILL OPEN, PARTICIPANTS CAN ATTEND AT THEIR DISCRETION. 

Latest tropical cyclone information and related announcements are broadcast on radio and TV and posted on the Hong Kong Observatory website (www.weather.gov.hk) and on the Dial-a-Weather system (Hong Kong telephone: 1878 200). 

** In case of discrepancy between the English and Chinese versions, the English version is authoritative.

Most restaurants add a 10% service charge automatically. Waiters also expect to pick up loose change. Larger tips, often 10%, are expected if there is no service charge. Small tips of HK$20 are common for hotel porters who carry your luggage and hotel doormen if they provide a specific service beyond holding the door of the car when you arrive or leave.

There is no custom tariff in Hong Kong and goods imported or exported require minimal customs formalities. This is a major convenience for all exhibitors and visitors to the Fair.

Excise duties are levied only on tobacco, liquor, methyl alcohol and hydrocarbon oil. Import and export licenses and Certificates of Origin are only required to enable Hong Kong to fulfil its international obligations and for health and safety.

Hong Kong has a fixed exchange rate, which ties the HK dollar to the US dollar within a narrow band. The upper end of the band is HK$7.80 to US$1. There are no currency restrictions and the Hong Kong dollar is freely convertible with all other currencies. There are many currency exchange operators, as well as banks and hotels and at the airport. All major credit cards are accepted at hotels, banks, large restaurants and stores.

Hong Kong is one of the safest cities in the world, with a very low crime rate. However, it is best to exercise the same precautions as you would at home. Keep your belongings secure, especially in public areas, such as taxi stations, lifts, restrooms and at the airport.

When travelling abroad, it is important to know some useful telephone numbers in advance. Here are numbers that you might want to program into your phone before your trip to Hong Kong.

General Numbers

Key points to remember when purchasing articles made of gold and other precious metals, fei cui (Jadeite Jade) and diamonds in Hong Kong.

Gold or Gold alloy/ Platinum

It is required by the Trade Descriptions Ordinance that Articles of gold or gold alloy/platinum or platinum alloy supplied in the course of trade or business at retail level must bear a mark indicating the fineness of gold/platinum content in the form and manner specified. A retailer of articles of gold or gold alloy/platinum or platinum alloy shall issue to a buyer at the time of supply, an invoice or receipt and retain a copy of that invoice/receipt for not less than 3 years from the date of issue. The invoice or receipt shall contain:
– the full name and address of the supplier;
– the price at which the article is supplied;
– the date of supply;
– the description;
– the fineness (where the article consists of different parts of different fineness of gold/platinum, the marks on each part); and
– the weight of the article – if the whole article is 足金 (Chuk Kam)/ 足白金 (Chuk Pak Kam).

A notice of not less than 210mm x 297mm specifying the legal requirements shall be displayed prominently at the point of supply.

For details, please visit:
www.customs.gov.hk/en/consumer_protection/trade_desc/metals/index.html

Natural Fei Cui/Diamond

According to the Ordinance, a retailer of any article of natural fei cui/diamond shall issue to a buyer at the time of supply, an invoice or receipt and retain a copy of that invoice/receipt for not less than 3 years from the date of issue. The invoice or receipt shall contain:

– the full name and address of the supplier;
– the price of the article;
– the date of supply; and
– a description of the article as “natural fei cui plus other jade” or “natural fei cui” according to the definition in the Ordinance, OR the total weight of the diamond in carats or where the weight is unknown to the retailer, a statement to that effect; and a description of the article as

* being composed solely of diamond;
* being inlaid with diamond; or
* being inlaid with both diamond and other precious stones, as appropriate.

A notice of not less than 210mm x 297mm shall be displayed at the point of supply informing consumers the definitions of “fei cui” and “natural fei cui”/“diamond” and the statutory requirements on retailers to issue invoices or receipts for the natural fei cui/ diamond articles supplied.

For more details, visit:
http://www.customs.gov.hk/en/consumer_protection/trade_desc/stone/index.html