I. 牌照相關條例及資訊

根據香港法例第615章最新修訂後的《打擊洗錢及恐怖分子資金籌集指引》（自2018年3月1日起生效），所有從事匯款及貨幣兌換業務的商戶，必須向海關關長申領金錢服務經營牌照。未經授權經營此類服務，即屬觸犯法律，最高可被罰款港幣100,000元並監禁6個月。

我們特別指出：

  • 貨幣兌換服務： 針對以香港作為營業所在地，提供純粹貨幣兌換服務（不包括零售業務中附帶的外幣交易）。

  • 匯款服務： 包括將金錢送至香港以外或從香港以外收取款項的各類交易。

此外，根據指引，申請人須委任專責的合規主任及洗錢報告主任，負責審查客戶身份和監控交易，以有效降低洗錢及恐怖分子資金籌集的風險。

I. Licence-Related Ordinances & Information

Under the latest amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing guidelines (as prescribed in Chapter 615 of the Hong Kong Ordinances, effective from March 1, 2018), any business engaged in remittance or money-changing services is required to obtain a Money Service Operator Licence from the Commissioner of Customs & Excise. Operating such services without an authorised licence constitutes an offense, punishable by a fine of HKD 100,000 and up to six months imprisonment.

Key points include:

  • Currency Exchange Services: This refers to currency exchange operations conducted as a business in Hong Kong, excluding incidental foreign currency transactions that are part of a retail business.

  • Remittance Services: This covers services that facilitate sending money outside Hong Kong, receiving money from outside Hong Kong, or arranging for such overseas transactions.

Furthermore, as stipulated in the guidelines, applicants must appoint both a Compliance Officer and a Money Laundering Reporting Officer. Their primary responsibilities include verifying customer identities and monitoring transactions to minimise the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing.

*The latest licence guidelines have announced on 26 August 2021, please contact us for details.

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*Under the Anti-Money Laundering Ordinance, Bitcoin or other similar virtual goods are not “money” and are not covered by the regulatory regime enforced by Customs. The money service operator license granted by the Customs does not grant permission or permission to the relevant business forms of Bitcoin or similar virtual currency goods.

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II.服務內容及申請流程

【服務亮點】

  • 一站式申請支援： 我們提供從咨詢、資料整理、至提交申請書的全程陪同服務，確保每個營業處所均在申請書中清楚登記。

  • 費用與有效期說明： 每增加一個營業地點，都需依規繳交相應費用；牌照申請費用一經繳付，不論結果均不退還；已核發牌照的有效期為兩年，持牌人須於期滿前進行續牌申請。

  • 適用對象： 無論申請人屬於個人、合夥或法團，董事及最終擁有人均需符合經營金錢服務的合規標準。

  • 多營業處所區分： 如多個金錢服務經營者共用同一處所，必須明確區隔各自的業務範圍及紀錄存放位置，確保交易清晰、彼此獨立。

【最新指引】 根據關長在最新牌照指引（2021年8月26日公布）中要求，只有在確認申請人（及其最終擁有者、董事或合夥人）均符合適任資格後，方能核發或續期牌照。詳細情況請隨時與我們聯絡以索取最新資訊。

*根據打擊洗錢條例，比特幣或其他類似虛擬商品並非「金錢」，不在海關所執行規管制度的範圍。海關所批給的金錢服務經營者牌照並不賦予比特幣或類似虛擬貨幣商品的相關業務形式的准許或許可。

II. Service Details & Application Process

Service Highlights:

  • One-Stop Application Support: We assist you throughout the entire process—from consultation, document preparation, to submission of the completed licence application—ensuring that each operating premise is clearly registered within the application.

  • Fees & Licence Validity: An additional fee is required for each extra operating location added to the application or renewal form. Please note that licence application fees are non-refundable regardless of the outcome. Issued licences are valid for a period of two years, after which a renewal application must be submitted before expiry.

  • Eligibility Requirements: Whether the applicant is an individual, partnership, or corporation, all directors, partners, and ultimate owners must meet the appropriate standards for operating a money service.

  • Multiple Premises Arrangement: For scenarios where different money service operators share the same premises, the areas used for conducting business and storing records must be clearly segregated. This ensures that visitors can easily identify which operator they are dealing with.

Latest Guidelines Reminder: According to the updated licence guidelines published on August 26, 2021, a licence or renewal will only be granted if the applicant—and all its ultimate owners, directors, or partners—are deemed suitable. For the most up-to-date information, please contact us directly.

 

申請流程:

公司註冊 (需時約10個工作天)

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安排店鋪 / 辦公室

準備申請文件 (視乎申請人提交資料之時間而定)

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專人上門繪畫平面圖

撰寫業務計劃書及打擊洗錢及恐怖分子資金籌集政策(需時3-4星期）

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正式遞交申請 (海關確認收到申請書通知)

安排董事出席牌照能力評核考試

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海關會面 (需時約4-8星期起計)

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經營地點視察

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等待覆核文件及審核結果 (需時約6-8星期起計)

申請時間一般為6-12個月，惟處理時間會因各種因素而異，包括向申請人收集所需文件、在營業處所進行實地視察，以及向其他機構取得適當人選的判定紀錄所需的時間。

  1. Service Content and Application Process

Our services include:

  • It is advisable to assist customers in applying for a licence or renewing a licence
  • Advised clients on applying for a Hong Kong Money Service Operator Licence
  • Prepare licence application documents and prepare the required documents for application
  • Qualifications of Compliance Officer and Money Laundering Reporting Officer
  • Assist clients in formulating and drafting anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing policies
  • Assist clients in formulating and writing business plans
  • Act as an intermediary liaison between clients and regulators to follow up on the process and progress of licence applications in real time
  • Arrange relevant computer systems, compliance systems (customer screening system, transaction record storage system).
  • Arrange compliance training for directors and related employees

Application Process:

Company registration (takes about 10 working days).

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Arrange shops / offices

Preparation of application documents (depending on the time of submission of information by the applicant).

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Someone came to the door to paint the floor plan

Write a business plan and a policy on combating money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (3-4weeks).

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Formal submission of the application (Customs confirms receipt of the application notification).

Arrange for directors to attend the licensing proficiency assessment examination

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Customs meeting (approximately 4-8 weeks from the beginning of the month).

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Inspection of place of business

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Wait for the review of documents and audit results (take about 6-8 weeks from the beginning).

The application period is generally 4-6 months, although the processing time will vary depending on various factors, including the time required to collect the required documents from the applicant, conduct on-site inspections at the premises of business, and obtain records of suitable candidates from other organisations.

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III. 申請所需文件

1. 董事及股東資料，以及其相關證明文件

2. 公司註冊文件

3. 有關申請表格

4. 公司銀行戶口證明

5. 每一個經營金錢服務處所的

i) 已加蓋釐印租約或業權記錄

ii) 處所平面圖

iii) 業主同意書

6. 授權書

7. 業務計劃書

8. 打擊洗錢及恐怖分子資金籌集政策

9. 合規主任身分證明文件，住址証明及僱用合同

10. 洗錢報告主任身分證明文件，住址証明及僱用合同

11. 交易紀錄儲存系統

12. 客戶篩查系統

III. Documents Required for Application

  1. Information on directors and shareholders, as well as their relevant supporting documents
  2. Company registration documents
  3. Relevant application form
  4. Company bank account certificate
  5. Every premises that operates money services

              i) A sealed lease or title record has been affixed

             ii) Floor plan of the premises

             iii) Employer Agreement

  1. Power of Attorney
  2. Business Plan
  3. Policies to combat money laundering and counter-terrorist financing
  4. Compliance Officer Identity Card Document, Proof of Address and Employment Agreement
  5. Identification documents of the Money Laundering Reporting Officer, proof of address and employment contract
  6. Transaction record storage system
  7. Customer screening system

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