Fee revisions under Customs and Excise Department to take effect on May 15
The Government today (March 13) gazetted the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 3) Notice 2026 to revise 12 fees under the licensing regime for Money Service Operators.The new fees will take effect on May 15.
The details are as follows:
Fee item description
Existing fee (HK$)
Revised fee (HK$)
For providing an uncertified copy of an entry in, or extract from, the register
1 per page or portion of a page
1.5 per page or portion of a page
Application for the grant of a licence
3,310
3,810
plus for each additional business premises
2,220
2,440
plus for each person who is subject to the fit and proper person test
860
945
Application for the renewal of a licence
790
910
plus for each additional business premises
355
410
plus for each person who is subject to the fit and proper person test
860
945
Application for an approval to become a licensee's director
860
for each person in relation to whom the application is made
945
for each person in relation to whom the application is made
Application for an approval to become a licensee's ultimate owner
860
for each person in relation to whom the application is made
945
for each person in relation to whom the application is made
Application for an approval to become a licensee's partner
860
for each person in relation to whom the application is made
945
for each person in relation to whom the application is made
Application to add new business premises
2,220
for each new business premises
2,440
for each new business premises
Application to operate a money service at particular premises
2,220
for each business premises
2,440
for each business premises
In line with the "user-pays" principle, it is the Government's policy that fees charged by the Government should in general be set at levels adequate to recover the full cost of the public services provided.
A costing review at the 2026-27 price level shows that the current cost recovery rates for 11 of these fees range from 60 per cent to 76 per cent, while one photocopying fee requires an adjustment to align with the relevant government standard charge. Based on the government-wide general guidelines for fee increases, the photocopying fee will be increased to $1.5 per page, while the increase for other 11 fees will range from 10 per cent to 15 per cent, or from $55 to $500 in dollar terms.
These fees have not been adjusted since the commencement of the Money Service Operators regime on April 1, 2012.
Hong Kong Customs will continue to enhance efficiency and streamline procedures to contain the costs of providing the services. For enquiries, please contact the Money Service Supervision Bureau of Hong Kong Customs at 3742 7742 or email to msoenquiry@customs.gov.hk.
HKMA releases new anti-fraud A.I. music video "Confronting Lachachu" while innovative promotional strategy wins international "Communications Initiative" award
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) today (March 13) released the full music video (MV) of its new anti-fraud song "Confronting Lachachu" under its 2026 anti-fraud public education campaign, aiming to deliver anti-fraud messages in an entertaining yet educational way, and to unite all sectors of the society in combating scams.
The new MV is inspired by the kung fu (martial arts) game concept and produced with artificial intelligence (AI) technology. It features Deputy Chief Executive of the HKMA Mr Arthur Yuen,who sings while transforming into a game character and facing off against theoriginal fraudster character "Lachachu" (despicable banana in Cantonese) in a battle between good and evil. The "Lachachu" disguises itself as various identities, including a ticket scalper, customer service representative, courier, and a dating partner, to entice members of the public into clicking suspicious links, disclosing personal information, or making instant fund transfers. The HKMA urges the public to remember three golden rules for fraud prevention:
- Click the links, fall for scams: Don't click on suspicious links;
- Path to quick cash leads to financial ruins: Never pay an advanced fee for a reward; and
- Fake romance drains real fortunes: Don't transfer money or share personal information in "online romances".
In recent years, the HKMA has been proactively enhancing public awareness of fraud prevention through innovative approaches. The launch of this new video sustains the down-to-earth approach in previous promotional efforts. With joint action in building a collective defence against scams in the society, fraud cases have shown signs of slowing down in recent years. The Hong Kong Police Force's statistics indicate that 43 212 fraud cases were recorded in 2025 - a 2.9 per cent drop from 2024, marking the first decrease since 2019.
The HKMA's approach to public education has garnered international recognition. The HKMA has launched an anti-fraud song "Don't Click Links Indiscriminately", co-performed by Yuen and singer Wan Kwong, as well as the "Lachachu"'s interactive promotion of anti-fraud messages in the community. These initiatives have been recognised with the "Central Banking Awards 2026 – Communications Initiative"by the international financial publication Central Banking. The HKMA expresses gratitude to the global judging panel for this acknowledgement. Going forward, the HKMA will continue to promote fraud prevention in collaboration with different stakeholders in ways that resonate with the public's lifestyle, continuously strengthening the robustness and resilience of Hong Kong's financial system.
The full version of the "Confronting Lachachu" is now available on the HKMA's official social media platforms.
HKMA's new anti-fraud A.I. music video "Confronting Lachachu", Photo source: HKMA
