Hong Kong Customs announced on 12 January that its Free Trade Agreement Transhipment Facilitation Scheme (FTA Scheme) now extends to goods moving from mainland China to Peru via Hong Kong under the China–Peru FTA. Traders can apply for a Certificate of Non-manipulation to secure Peruvian tariff concessions while routing shipments through the territory’s logistics hub.
The expansion raises the number of economies covered by the scheme to 72 and reinforces Hong Kong’s positioning as a value-adding waypoint for supply chains that rely on preferential trade rules. Although the FTA Scheme deals with goods rather than travellers, its operational model—Customs supervised “green lanes” and digital documentation—mirrors concepts used in passenger mobility initiatives such as Smart Departure and the Asia–Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Card.
For companies and professionals that need to send employees to Hong Kong quickly to oversee supply-chain adjustments or compliance matters, VisaHQ can simplify the visa process. Its online platform (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/) offers clear checklists, digital document submission and status tracking for applications under the General Employment Policy, the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals and other categories, helping organisations keep projects on schedule.
![Customs widens Free Trade Agreement Transhipment Facilitation Scheme to cover China–Peru cargo]()
Logistics providers say the new corridor will cut average end-to-end transit times to South America by two days, as cargo can move under a single through-Bill of Lading without repackaging or Customs inspection in Hong Kong. Freight forwarders specialising in electronics and garment shipments are expected to be early adopters, leveraging Hong Kong’s multiple daily freighters to Lima via Los Angeles.
From a global-mobility perspective, the move may indirectly influence personnel deployment: corporates that shift distribution nodes to Hong Kong often redeploy inventory planners, compliance officers and quality-control engineers to the city. Employers should therefore monitor quota availability under the General Employment Policy and the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals to ensure timely visa approvals for relocated staff.
Customs officials signalled that further FTA expansions are in the pipeline, aiming to strengthen the city’s status as a trade and logistics hub amid intensifying competition from regional transhipment ports.
The expansion raises the number of economies covered by the scheme to 72 and reinforces Hong Kong’s positioning as a value-adding waypoint for supply chains that rely on preferential trade rules. Although the FTA Scheme deals with goods rather than travellers, its operational model—Customs supervised “green lanes” and digital documentation—mirrors concepts used in passenger mobility initiatives such as Smart Departure and the Asia–Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Card.
For companies and professionals that need to send employees to Hong Kong quickly to oversee supply-chain adjustments or compliance matters, VisaHQ can simplify the visa process. Its online platform (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/) offers clear checklists, digital document submission and status tracking for applications under the General Employment Policy, the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals and other categories, helping organisations keep projects on schedule.
Logistics providers say the new corridor will cut average end-to-end transit times to South America by two days, as cargo can move under a single through-Bill of Lading without repackaging or Customs inspection in Hong Kong. Freight forwarders specialising in electronics and garment shipments are expected to be early adopters, leveraging Hong Kong’s multiple daily freighters to Lima via Los Angeles.
From a global-mobility perspective, the move may indirectly influence personnel deployment: corporates that shift distribution nodes to Hong Kong often redeploy inventory planners, compliance officers and quality-control engineers to the city. Employers should therefore monitor quota availability under the General Employment Policy and the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals to ensure timely visa approvals for relocated staff.
Customs officials signalled that further FTA expansions are in the pipeline, aiming to strengthen the city’s status as a trade and logistics hub amid intensifying competition from regional transhipment ports.
