About Hong Kong

Why Hong Kong

Vibrant and unique, Hong Kong has often been described as one of the world’s best cities. With its business-friendly environment, excellent infrastructure and rich cultural heritage, Hong Kong remains unmatched as Asia’s premier meeting point for the events industry.

Free Market

An ideal springboard for international investors jockeying for position in China’s high-growth market, Hong Kong is recognised for its high degree of competitiveness and openness.

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 Informa Markets Jewellery fairs and events. Excise duties are levied only on tobacco, liquor, methyl alcohol and hydrocarbon oil. Import and export licences and Certificates of Origin are only required to enable Hong Kong to fulfil its international obligations and ensure that health and safety standards are met.

Global City

English, Cantonese and Chinese are the official languages of Hong Kong. Getting around the city is quite easy since all signage are in English and Chinese. Nationals from about 170 countries and territories may visit Hong Kong without a visa/entry permit for a period ranging from 7 to 180 days. For more information on visa/entry permit requirements for visitors to the HKSAR, please refer to the webpage.

Business & Leisure

Hong Kong is one of the easiest places in the world to do business, and the city certainly gives visitors plenty of reasons to stay an extra day or two for some quality downtime. Famous for its iconic skyline, shopping districts and exciting culinary scene, Hong Kong – known as Asia’s world city – has firmly established itself as a premier global business and financial hub.

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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

Emergency Calls (Police/Fire/Ambulance) 999
Police Hotline (crime reporting, taxi complaints, etc) 2527 7177

24 hours medical service
Queen Mary Hospital 2255 3838
Queen Elizabeth Hospital 3506 8888

Free Ambulance Service
24 Hours Free Ambulance Service (by Hong Kong St. John Ambulance) 1878 000

Consumer Council 2929 2222

Overseas Calls
Collect Calls 10010
IDD & Cardphone Inquiries 10013

Visitor Travel Hotlines
Hong Kong International Airport 2181 8888
Hong Kong Tourism Board 2508 1234
Immigration Department 2824 6111
China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Limited 2998 7888

Credit Cards Lost or Stolen (24-hour)
American Express 2811 6122
Diners Club 2860 1888

Major Airlines (Reservation/Flight Information)
Air Canada 2867 8111
Air China 3970 9000
Air France 2501 9433
Air India 2522 1176
British Airways 3071 5083
Cathay Pacific Airways 2747 3333
China Airlines 2868 2299
Delta Air Lines 800-965-716
ITA Airways 39-06-85960020
Japan Airlines 3919 1111
Korean Air 2366 2001
Lufthansa German Airlines 2868 2313
Malaysia Airlines 3001 0026
Philippine Airlines 2301 9300
Qantas Airways 2298 8111
Singapore Airlines 2520 2233
SWISS International Air Lines 2846 6310
Thai Airways Int’l 2179 7777
United Airlines 2810 4888
Virgin Atlantic Airways 2532 3000

Consulate Generals
Australia 2827 8881
Belgium 2524 3111
Brazil 2525 7002
Canada 3719 4700
Finland 2525 5385
France 3752 9900
Germany 2105 8788
Indonesia 3651 0200
Israel 2821 7500
Italy 2522 0033
Japan 2522 1184
Korea 2529 4141
Malaysia 2821 0800
New Zealand 2525 5044
Philippines 2823 8500
Singapore 2527 2212
Switzerland 3509 5000
Thailand 2521 6481
USA 2523 9011
United Kingdom 2901 3000

For other telephone numbers inquiries
For English 1081
Time & Temperature 18503

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


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Seasons | Spring Fashion Jewellery & Accessories Fair
Seasons | Autumn Fashion Jewellery & Accessories Fair