HKMA Announces New Schedule for Coin Collection Carts from January to March 2026

Coin Collection Programme

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

​The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) today (December 10) announced a new service schedule of the two "Coin Carts" under the Coin Collection Programme, for the period of January5, 2026 up to March22, 2026. The schedule and other details of the Programme are shown on the HKMA webpage (coincollection.hkma.gov.hk).

Since the launch of the Programme in October 2014 up to November30, 2025, the two Coin Carts had carried out 1 427 000 transactions, collecting 1 088 million coins with a total face value of HK$1,755 million during the period. The collected coins are re-circulated to meet demand.

The Coin Carts provide service at locations that are convenient to the public without affecting the normal flow of traffic and pedestrians. Locations that have suitable power supply facilities, such as the Leisure and Cultural Services Department mobile library service locations, are preferred so as to reduce the need for using the Coin Carts' own stand-by generators. This makes the Programme more environmentally friendly. In selecting the service locations, the HKMA has taken into consideration comments and suggestions given by district councils and members of public; and has consulted the Transport Department and the Hong Kong Police Force as necessary.

The two Coin Carts collect coins from members of public in the 18 districts of Hong Kong on a rotating basis. Under normal circumstances each Coin Cart will stay at a location for a week, subject to availability of the parking space and the maintenance schedule of the Cart. Service hours are from 10am to 7pm. Each vehicle is equipped with two coin counting machines and operational staff will be present to provide assistance. An electrical wheelchair lift is available for use. Users can choose to exchange coins for banknotes or adding value to their stored value facilities, such as Octopus Cards or e-wallets (including AlipayHK, Octopus Wallet, Tap&Go and WeChat Pay). There is also a Community Chest donation box inside each vehicle. The coin collection service is free of charge.

The HKMA will review the Programme from time to time; and will regularly update the service schedule to give advance notice to the public.

Source: AI-found images

Interest rate for Tax Reserve Certificates adjusted

The Inland Revenue Department announced today (April 2) that starting from April 8, 2026, the new annual rate of interest payable on Tax Reserve Certificates will be 0.1500 per cent against the current rate of 0.2417 per cent, i.e. the new rate will be $0.0125 per month per $100.

Tax Reserve Certificates bear simple interest, and interest is calculated monthly (including part of a month) from the date of purchase to the date of payment of tax. Interest is only credited when certificates are used to pay tax, and no interest is due where the principal value of a certificate is repaid to its holder.

The rate of interest payable on Tax Reserve Certificates is reviewed every month based on the average prevailing interest rate for the 12-month time deposit for $100,000 to $499,999 offered by the three note-issuing banks.

The new rate will apply to all certificates purchased on or after April 8, 2026. Certificates purchased before April 8, 2026, will continue to earn interest at the rates prevailing on their respective purchase dates. Below is a summary of the interest rates for the past periods:

For certificates purchased on or after November 4, 2024, and before December 2, 2024:

0.7167 per cent per annum

For certificates purchased on or after December 2, 2024, and before January 6, 2025:

0.5500 per cent per annum

For certificates purchased on or after January 6, 2025, and before February 3, 2025:

0.4250 per cent per annum

For certificates purchased on or after February 3, 2025, and before October 6, 2025:

0.3417 per cent per annum

For certificates purchased on or after October 6, 2025, and before January 5, 2026:

0.2583 per cent per annum

For certificates purchased on or after January 5, 2026, and before April 8, 2026:

0.2417 per cent per annum

For certificates purchased on or after April 8, 2026, until further notice:

0.1500 per cent per annum

Interest will cease to accrue after 36 months.

Source: AI-found images