How silver is priced in Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, precious metals are traditionally weighed in taels (兩). The tael used in the gold market is 37.429 g, about 1.203 troy ounces. Silver bullion is mostly sold as international coins and bars priced off the US dollar spot price per troy ounce, converted to Hong Kong dollars. The figures on this page are that international spot price converted into HKD at the live exchange rate. They show the metal value before dealer premiums, so a dealer will sell above these numbers and buy back below them.
No VAT, GST or import duty on silver
Hong Kong has no sales tax or VAT, and as a free port it charges no import duty on goods apart from a few items such as tobacco and liquor. Silver bars, coins and silver jewellery therefore carry no consumption tax, and the price you pay is metal value plus the dealer's premium. Hong Kong also has no capital gains tax. That makes it very different from Thailand and Europe, where silver is taxed but gold bullion is not, and from Japan, which charges consumption tax on both. If you take silver to another country, that country's import VAT and customs rules may still apply on arrival.
Local benchmark: the CGSE
The Chinese Gold & Silver Exchange Society (CGSE), founded in 1910, is Hong Kong's physical precious metals exchange. It is best known for its open-outcry trading in 99 tael gold and kilobars. Its electronic trading platform also lists silver products, including a Loco London silver contract and an HK dollar-denominated loco silver contract. Retail dealers, however, generally price silver bars and coins directly off the international spot price plus a premium, and that premium depends on the product, its size and the order quantity.
Dealer rules and buyer protection
Since 1 January 2023, businesses dealing in precious metals and stones, which by definition includes silver, must register with the Customs and Excise Department under the anti-money-laundering regime. Dealers registered in Category A may only accept cash payments below HK$120,000. Category B dealers can take larger cash payments, but they must carry out customer due diligence and keep records, so expect to show identification for large cash purchases. The Trade Descriptions Ordinance makes false descriptions of goods an offence, so ask for an invoice that states the weight and fineness of what you buy.
What people buy in Hong Kong
Popular silver products in Hong Kong include 1 oz bullion coins such as the Canadian Maple Leaf (9999) and China's 30 g Silver Panda (999), along with 1 kg bars from international refiners. Jewellery is usually sterling silver stamped 925. Silver is bulky, but with no VAT and no import duty, Hong Kong is often one of the cheaper places in Asia to buy physical silver. Compare total cost per ounce of fine silver, and check the dealer's buy-back spread before you buy.
Tax and duty information last reviewed October 2026. Rules change — confirm with your dealer or tax authority before a large purchase.