Hong Kong's June 2025 Trade Statistics Show Significant Year-on-Year Increases in Exports and Imports.

External merchandise trade statistics for June 2025

The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (July 28) the external merchandise trade statistics for June 2025. In June 2025, the values of Hong Kong's total exports and imports of goods both recorded year-on-year increases, at 11.9% and 11.1% respectively.

In June 2025, the value of total exports of goods increased by 11.9% over a year earlier to $417.8 billion, after a year-on-year increase by 15.5% in May 2025. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 11.1% over a year earlier to $476.7 billion in June 2025, after a year-on-year increase by 18.9% in May 2025. A visible trade deficit of $58.9 billion, equivalent to 12.4% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in June 2025.

For the first half of 2025 as a whole, the value of total exports of goods increased by 12.5% over the same period in 2024. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 12.6%. A visible trade deficit of $183.6 billion, equivalent to 7.0% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in the first half of 2025.

Comparing the second quarter of 2025 with the preceding quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of total exports of goods increased by 2.8%. Meanwhile, the value of imports of goods increased by 3.9%.

Analysis by country/territory

Comparing June 2025 with June 2024, total exports to Asia as a whole grew by 17.2%. In this region, increases were registered in the values of total exports to most major destinations, in particular Malaysia (+52.6%), the Philippines (+48.3%), Vietnam (+37.6%), the mainland of China (the Mainland) (+18.3%) and India (+12.5%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of total exports to Korea (-10.9%).

Apart from destinations in Asia, decreases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations in other regions, in particular the Netherlands (-35.5%) and the USA (-12.1%).

Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular Vietnam (+50.6%), the United Kingdom (+44.7%), the Mainland (+17.3%) and Thailand (+15.9%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of imports from Korea (-27.1%).

For the first half of 2025 as a whole, increases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations, in particular Vietnam (+54.4%), Malaysia (+34.6%), Taiwan (+33.0%), the Mainland (+18.0%) and Japan (+17.5%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of total exports to the United Arab Emirates (-23.6%).

Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular Vietnam (+70.7%), the United Kingdom (+53.8%), Taiwan (+39.8%), Malaysia (+28.3%) and the Mainland (+10.8%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of imports from Korea (-21.0%).

Analysis by major commodity

Comparing June 2025 with June 2024, increases were registered in the values of total exports of some principal commodity divisions, in particular "electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof" (by $35.8 billion or +20.2%) and "office machines and automatic data processing machines" (by $4.7 billion or +10.4%).

Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports of some principal commodity divisions, in particular "electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof" (by $28.4 billion or +14.6%) and "telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment" (by $8.3 billion or +17.7%).

For the first half of 2025 as a whole, increases were registered in the values of total exports of some principal commodity divisions, in particular "electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof" (by $139.2 billion or +13.4%) and "office machines and automatic data processing machines" (by $129.7 billion or +55.4%).

Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports of some principal commodity divisions, in particular "electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof" (by $151.2 billion or +14.6%) and "office machines and automatic data processing machines" (by $120.0 billion or +65.2%).

Commentary

A Government spokesman said that merchandise exports performance remained resilient in June. The value of merchandise exports grew noticeably further by 11.9% over a year earlier. Exports to the Mainland and most other Asian markets continued to expand visibly, while those to the United States and the European Union fell.

Looking ahead, the sustained steady growth in various Asian economies in particular the Mainland economy, as well as Hong Kong's enhanced economic and trade ties with different markets, should continue to support merchandise trade performance. Nonetheless, the outlook of global trade policy is still uncertain. The Government will continue to monitor the situation closely and stay vigilant.

Further information

Table 1 presents the analysis of external merchandise trade statistics for June 2025. Table 2 presents the original monthly trade statistics from January 2022 to June 2025, and Table 3 gives the seasonally adjusted series for the same period.

The values of total exports of goods to 10 main destinations for June 2025 are shown in Table 4, whereas the values of imports of goods from 10 main suppliers are given in Table 5.

Tables 6 and 7 show the values of total exports and imports of 10 principal commodity divisions for June 2025.

All the merchandise trade statistics described here are measured at current prices and no account has been taken of changes in prices between the periods of comparison. A separate analysis of the volume and price movements of external merchandise trade for June 2025 will be released in mid-August 2025.

The June 2025 issue of "Hong Kong External Merchandise Trade" contains detailed analysis on the performance of Hong Kong’s external merchandise trade in June 2025 and will be available in early August 2025. Users can browse and download the report at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1020005&scode=230).

Enquiries on merchandise trade statistics may be directed to the Trade Analysis Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4691).

Source: AI-found images

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation

The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted an anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Contribute" today (January 15).During the operation, ImmD Task Force officers raided premises under renovation in a newly built public housing estate in Sheung Shui district.A total of six suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. Thearrested suspected illegal workers comprise six men, aged 22 to 41. Furthermore, one man, aged 45, suspected of employing the illegal workers, was also arrested. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.

Apart from mounting the enforcement operation, ImmD officers and a promotional vehicle have been deployed to distribute "Don't Employ Illegal Workers" leaflets and convey the message in the estate.

An ImmD spokesman said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."

The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.

According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.

Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.

For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases