Stamp Duty

Stamp Duty Relief

Intra Group Relief

Subject to the conditions set out in section 45 of the Stamp Duty Ordinance ("the Ordinance"), stamp duty relief is available for the transfer of immovable property or shares from one associated body corporate to another. Please refer to the Stamping Procedures and Explanatory Notes on “Intra Group Relief” [IRSD124] for the application procedures.

Stock Borrowing Relief

Transfer of shares under stock borrowing and lending transactions may be exempted from stamp duty. For details, please refer to the Stamp Office Interpretation and Practice Notes on “Relief for Stock Borrowing and Lending Transactions”. Please also refer to the Stamping Procedures and Explanatory Notes on “Stock Borrowing Relief – Revised Procedures” [U3/SOG/PN06A] for the application procedures.

Islamic Bond Scheme Relief

Where specified conditions are met, sections 47E, 47F and 47G of the Ordinance provide stamp duty relief on the transfer of bonds and certain instruments, not otherwise required in the case of conventional bonds, issued or executed under Islamic bond schemes solely for compliance of Sharia principles. For details, please refer to the Stamp Office Interpretation and Practice Notes No. 6 on “Alternative Bond Schemes”

Electronic registration of Stock Borrowing and Lending Agreement (SBLA)

Stamp Office has launched a new electronic service allowing online registration of SBLA via e-Tax with effect from 23 April 2012. Please refer to the Stamping Procedures and Explanatory Notes on "Stock Borrowing Relief - Electronic Registration of Stock Borrowing and Lending Agreement" [U3/SOG/PN08A] for details.

Screen shots of the e-registration services

Approved standard versions of SBLA

Approved standard versions of SBLA
	Publishers of Approved SBLA	Approved SBLA	PDF Format
1.	International Securities Lending Association	Overseas Securities Lender's Agreement, version 1995

2.		Master Gilt Edged Stock Lending Agreement, version 1996

3.		Master Equity & Fixed Interest Stock Lending Agreement, version 1997

4.		Global Master Securities Lending Agreement, version 2000

5.		Global Master Securities Lending Agreement, version 2010

6.		Global Master Securities Lending Agreement (Security Interest over Collateral - 2018 version)

7.	Public Securities Association/International Securities Market Association	Global Master Repurchase Agreement, version 1995

8.	The Bond Market Association/International Securities Market Association	Global Master Repurchase Agreement, version 2000

9.	The Bond Market Association	Master Securities Loan Agreement, version 1993

10.		Master Repurchase Agreement, version 1996

11.		Master Securities Loan Agreement, version 2000

12.	Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association/International Capital Market Association	Global Master Repurchase Agreement, version 2011

13.	Others	Rahmenvertrag für Wertpapierdarlehen

Miscellaneous relief on Stock Transactions

Miscellaneous relief on Stock Transactions
(a)	Remission of stamp duty on delivery of Hong Kong stocks as consideration for allotment or redemption of Collective Investment Products [U3/SOG/PN01]
(b)	Remission of Stamp Duty - Exchange Traded Fund [IRSD 128] (Only applicable to transactions of ETF shares or units effected before 13 February 2015)
(c)	Partial Remission of Ad Valorem Stamp Duty on Contract Notes for the Sale or Purchase of Designated Exchange Traded Funds by Market Makers [U3/SOG/PN05] (Only applicable to transactions of ETF shares or units effected before 13 February 2015)
(d)	Exemption on instruments of transfer of units under Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes [U3/SOG/PN03A]
(e)	Exemption on instruments of transfer relating to Indirect Allotment or Redemption of Units under Unit Trust Schemes [U3/SOG/PN07]
(f)	Stamp Duty Relief for the Transactions and Transfers of Regulatory Capital Securities [U3/SOG/PN09]

Exclusion from application of the Electronic Transaction Ordinance (Cap.553)

Other than contract notes issued and stamped by stock brokers in respect of a trade effected through the Stock Exchange, all instruments subject to stamping or denoting under the Stamp Duty Ordinance (Cap. 117) cannot be made or executed by electronic means.

Profits Tax Liabilities on Property Dealing

Duty payers are reminded that despite the payment of stamp duty, there are also profits tax liabilities in respect of the assessable profits from the buying and selling of landed properties in the course of a trading adventure in Hong Kong.

Stamping Procedures and Explanatory Notes

1. Hong Kong Stock

2. Landed Properties

3. Remission

4. Procedures

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1. Hong Kong Stock

U3/SOG/PN03A
Stamp Duty (Amendment) (No. 2) Ordinance 2000 Exemption - Instruments of Transfer of Units under Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes

U3/SOG/PN04A
Stamping of Share Transfer

U3/SOG/PN06A
Stock Borrowing Relief - Procedures Registration of Stock Borrowing and Lending Agreement and Filing of Return of Stock Borrowing Transactions

U3/SOG/PN07A
Stamp Duty Exemption - Instruments of Transfer relating to Indirect Allotment or Redemption of (1) Units under Unit Trust Schemes and (2) Shares under Open-ended Fund Companies

U3/SOG/PN08A
Stock Borrowing Relief - Electronic Registration of Stock Borrowing and Lending Agreement

U3/SOG/PN09A
Stamp Duty Relief for the Transactions and Transfers of Regulatory Capital Securities

U3/SOG/PN10A
e-Stamping of Share Transfer Instruments

2. Landed Properties

U3/SOA/PN03
Chargeable Agreement for Sale Variation of Consideration prior to Assignment

U3/SOA/PN04
Section 29/29G of the Stamp Duty Ordinance Series of Transactions

I.R.S.D. 119(E)
Stamping Procedures and Explanatory Notes Stamping of Tenancy Agreement

I.R.S.D. 120(E)
Stamping Procedures and Explanatory Notes Stamping of Agreements and Assignments

I.R.S.D. 122(E)
Stamping Procedures and Explanatory Notes Late Stamping of Agreement and Assignment

3. Remission

U3/SOG/PN01
Remission of Stamp Duty on Delivery of Hong Kong Stocks as Consideration for allotment or redemption of Collective Investment Products

U3/SOG/PN05A
Partial Remission of Ad Valorem Stamp Duty on Contract Notes for the Sale or Purchase of Designated Exchange Traded Funds by Market Makers
(Only applicable to transactions of ETF shares or units effected before 13 February 2015)

I.R.S.D. 128(E)
Stamping Procedures and Explanatory Notes Remission or Refund of Stamp Duty Exchange Traded Funds
(Only applicable to transactions of ETF shares or units effected before 13 February 2015)

4. Procedures

U3/SOG/PN02A
Stamping Procedures and Explanatory Notes Counter Service

I.R.S.D. 98
Notes On Appeal Procedures effective from 1 May 1998

I.R.S.D. 124(E)
Stamping Procedures and Explanatory Notes Intra Group Relief Transfer or Sale of Hong Kong Stock and Immovable Property

Stamping Circulars

Stamping Circulars
No.	Stamping Circulars	Date Issued
03/2024	Stock Borrowing Relief – Filing of Return of Stock Borrowing Transactions	2 July 2024
02/2024	Time limit for stamping affected by Severe Weather	18 April 2024
01/2024	Stock Borrowing Relief – Filing of Return of Stock Borrowing Transactions	2 January 2024
03/2023	Stock Borrowing Relief – Filing of Return of Stock Borrowing Transactions	3 July 2023
02/2023	Stamp Duty Exemption for certain transactions relating to Dual-counter Stocks made by Dual-counter Market Makers	19 May 2023
01/2023	Stock Borrowing Relief – Filing of Return of Stock Borrowing Transactions	3 January 2023
02/2022	Stock Borrowing Relief – Filing of Return of Stock Borrowing Transactions	4 July 2022
01/2022	Stock Borrowing Relief – Filing of Return of Stock Borrowing Transactions	3 January 2022
02/2021	Online Appointment Booking for Stamp Office Lease Counter Service	28 May 2021
03/2020	Stamp Duty Exemption on the Sale and Purchase of Hong Kong Stocks by Exchange Traded Fund (“ETF”) market makers for the Allotment and Redemption of ETF Shares or Units	17 August 2020
02/2019	Stamp Duty Exemption on Delivery of Hong Kong Stocks as Consideration for the Allotment or Redemption of a Share or Unit of an Authorized Open-ended Collective Investment Scheme	7 January 2019
05/2018	Stamping of instruments involving more than 1 residential property executed on or after 12 April 2017 and before the gazettal date of the Stamp Duty (Amendment) (No. 2) Ordinance 2018	20 April 2018
04/2018	Stamping of instruments of immovable properties from the gazettal date of the Stamp Duty (Amendment) (No. 2) Ordinance 2018	20 April 2018
03/2018	Stamping of instruments involving residential properties executed on or after 5 November 2016 and before the gazettal date of the Stamp Duty (Amendment) Ordinance 2018	19 January 2018
02/2018	Stamping of instruments of immovable properties after the gazettal date of the Stamp Duty (Amendment) Ordinance 2018	19 January 2018
02/2015	Stamp duty waiver for the transfer of shares or units of exchange traded funds	13 February 2015
07/2014	Stamping of instruments of non-residential properties executed on or after 23 February 2013 and before the gazettal date of the Stamp Duty (Amendment) (No. 2) Ordinance 2014	25 July 2014
06/2014	Stamping of instruments involving residential properties executed on or after 23 February 2013 and before the gazettal date of the Stamp Duty (Amendment) (No. 2) Ordinance 2014	25 July 2014
05/2014	Stamping of instruments of immovable properties after the gazettal date of the Stamp Duty (Amendment) (No. 2) Ordinance 2014	25 July 2014
03/2014	Stamping of Agreements for Sale and Conveyances on Sale of Residential Properties executed on or after 27 October 2012 and already stamped before the gazettal of the Stamp Duty (Amendment) Ordinance 2014	28 February 2014
02/2014	Stamping of Agreements for Sale and Conveyances on Sale of Residential Properties after the gazettal of the Stamp Duty (Amendment) Ordinance 2014	28 February 2014
03/2013	Payment arrangements for Special Stamp Duty	12 July 2013
02/2012	Stock Borrowing Relief – Registration of Stock Borrowing and Lending Agreement	23 April 2012
02/2011	Procedural Matters in relation to the Stamp Duty (Amendment) Ordinance 2011	30 June 2011
05/2010	Practical Hints on Completing Applications for Stamping of Agreement / Assignment of Property	24 September 2010
03/2010	Exchange Participant: Stamp duty on transfer of shares	30 June 2010

Click here for more Stamping Circulars

e-Stamping Circulars

e-Stamping Circulars
No.	e-Stamping Circulars	Date Issued
1/2024	Enhancements to e-Stamping of Property Transfer Instruments	08 July 2024
1/2020	Enhancements to e-Stamping of Share Transfer Instruments	31 August 2020
1/2019	e-Stamping of Share Transfer Instruments	16 December 2019
1/2011	Stamp Certificates	14 November 2011
1/2009	Enhancements to e-Stamping Service	18 November 2009
1/2008	e-Stamping Service under GovHK	21 January 2008
1/2007	Reprovision of e-Stamping Service under GovHK	31 December 2007

Forms

1. e-Stamping

2. Property Stamping and Adjudication

3. Stamping of Share Transfers

4. Stock Borrowing Relief

5. Stamp Duty Relief and Refund

6. Stock Brokers

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