Hong Kong's 2026 Budget Cuts Tax to 8.25% for Commodity Traders in Maritime Business

香港2026年预算案将海事大宗商品交易商利得税降至8.25%

Policy Core / 政策核心

Hong Kong's 2026-27 Budget, delivered on 25 February 2026, introduces a new 8.25% profits tax concession for eligible commodity traders engaged in international maritime business — half the standard 16.5% corporate rate. The government will table the amendment bill in the first half of 2026, with an accompanying action plan announced on 9 June 2026 adding a pre-approval mechanism to speed up qualification.

香港2026-27年度财政预算案于2026年2月25日公布，为从事国际航运业务的合资格大宗商品贸易商新设8.25%利得税优惠，仅为标准税率16.5%的一半。政府将于2026年上半年提交修订条例草案，并于6月9日公布配套行动计划，新增预先裁定机制加快资格确认。

What Changes for Businesses / 落地成本变化

| Item 项目 | Before 调整前 | After 调整后 |

|--------|--------|--------|

| Profits tax rate 利得税率 | 16.5% | 8.25% |

| Qualification certainty 资格确定性 | Post-assessment review 事后评税审核 | Pre-approval mechanism 预先裁定 |

| Covered income 覆盖范围 | Limited ship-leasing/insurance 仅限船舶租赁、保险 | Expanded to commodity trading 扩至大宗商品贸易 |

英文补充：For a trading entity booking HK$100 million in annual qualifying profits, the concession cuts the tax bill from HK$16.5 million to HK$8.25 million per year. The regime also expands tax-exempt income categories for ship operators and maritime service providers.

中文对照：以一家年合资格利润1亿港元的贸易实体计算，优惠使其每年税负从1650万港元降至825万港元。该政策同时扩大了船舶营运商及海运服务商的免税收入类别。

What Companies Should Do / 企业该做什么

- Existing Hong Kong entities / 已有香港实体的企业：Map trading income against the qualifying commodity and maritime activity definitions in the amendment bill; use the new pre-approval channel to lock in eligibility before filing. / 对照修订草案中合资格商品及海运活动的定义梳理贸易收入，利用新设的预先裁定渠道在报税前先锁定资格。

- Companies still choosing a hub / 正在选址的企业：Compare Hong Kong's 8.25% effective rate against Singapore's Maritime Sector Incentive before the bill passes in mid-2026 — early applicants gain first-mover certainty. / 在法案2026年年中通过前，将香港8.25%实际税率与新加坡海运业激励计划对比，早申请者先获得确定性。

- Commodity traders without a Hong Kong presence / 尚未落户香港的贸易商：Incorporate and set up a corporate treasury or trading desk now; the concession requires genuine substance in Hong Kong. / 现在注册并设立财资或贸易团队，优惠要求在香港具备实质经营。

First Steps / 对企业出海的意义

Step one: check whether your traded commodities and shipping-linked contracts fall within the bill's qualifying list, expected to pass the Legislative Council in the second half of 2026. Step two: file for pre-approval with the Inland Revenue Department once the mechanism opens, rather than waiting for post-assessment disputes. Step three: model the 8.25% rate into your 2027 pricing — competitors who move first will price you out of charter contracts.

第一步：核对贵司交易的商品品类与航运相关合同是否列入草案合资格清单，法案预计2026年下半年在立法会通过。第二步：预先裁定机制开放后立即向税务局申请，避免事后评税争议。第三步：把8.25%税率纳入2027年报价模型——先落地的竞争对手会在租船合同报价上压过你。