36th World Customs Organization Asia/Pacific Regional Contact Points Meeting Successfully Concludes, Strengthening Significance of Regional Cooperation

36th World Customs Organization Asia/Pacific Regional Contact Points Meeting concludes

Hong Kong Customs, in the capacity of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Vice-Chairperson for the Asia/Pacific (A/P) Region (APVC), hosted the 36th WCO A/P Regional Contact Points Meeting in Macao starting October 13 for three consecutive days. The meeting, co-organised with Macao Customs, concluded today (October 15).

The meeting gathered more than 80 representatives from A/P Customs administrations and the WCO's regional entities. The agenda featured a series of thematic presentations and discussions that facilitated the participants to exchange views on Customs initiatives, enforcement strategies and capacity building experiences from diverse perspectives, deepening co-operation and connections among A/P members.

The meeting commenced on October 13 with a welcoming speech delivered by the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, in the capacity of the APVC. Mr Chan noted that Hong Kong Customs, re-elected as the APVC for another two-year term in June this year, will continue to deepen co-operation among regional members at the leadership level, while enhancing collaboration and building mutual trustwith regional entities and other international partners to navigate the complexities of today’s global landscape. He also expressed gratitude to Macao Customs for co-organising the meeting, which not only fostered regional connections, but also showcased the unique strengths, synergy and seamless co-operation within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

The meeting marked the successful conclusion of the first major event hosted by Hong Kong Customs since its re-election as the APVC. Hong Kong Customs will actively organise a series of events in the upcoming two-year tenure to foster knowledge sharing and co-operation, while further strengthening cohesion among A/P members. In the future, Hong Kong Customs will continue to lead the members to contribute to the robust development of Customs affairs in the A/P region.

The 36th World Customs Organization (WCO) Asia/Pacific (A/P) Regional Contact Points Meeting, hosted by Hong Kong Customs and co-organised by Macao Customs, concluded today (October 15). Photo shows representatives from A/P customs administrations and the WCO's regional entities at the meeting. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The 36th World Customs Organization Asia/Pacific Regional Contact Points Meeting, hosted by Hong Kong Customs and co-organised by Macao Customs, concluded today (October 15). Photo shows the Deputy Commissioner of Customs and Excise (Management and Strategic Development), Ms Phoebe Wong, delivering the concluding remarks at the meeting. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The 36th World Customs Organization Asia/Pacific Regional Contact Points Meeting, hosted by Hong Kong Customs and co-organised by Macao Customs, concluded today (October 15). Photo shows the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat (left), mingling with participants of the meeting. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The 36th World Customs Organization Asia/Pacific Regional Contact Points Meeting, hosted by Hong Kong Customs and co-organised by Macao Customs, concluded today (October 15). Photo shows the Assistant Commissioner (Excise and Strategic Support) of Customs and Excise, Mr Li Kin-kei (centre), presiding over the meeting. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The 36th World Customs Organization Asia/Pacific (A/P) Regional Contact Points Meeting, hosted by Hong Kong Customs and co-organised by Macao Customs, concluded today (October 15). Photo shows the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat (front row, seventh right), with other attending Hong Kong Customs officers and representatives from A/P members and regional entities. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The 36th World Customs Organization Asia/Pacific Regional Contact Points Meeting, hosted by Hong Kong Customs and co-organised by Macao Customs, concluded today (October 15). Photo shows the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat (centre), presiding over the meeting. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The 36th World Customs Organization Asia/Pacific Regional Contact Points Meeting, hosted by Hong Kong Customs and co-organised by Macao Customs, concluded today (October 15). Photo shows the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, delivering a welcoming speech at the meeting. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade in August 2026

Further to the external merchandise trade statistics in value terms for August 2026 released earlier on, the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (October 15) the volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for that month.

In August 2026, the volume of Hong Kong's total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 28.6% and 34.6% respectively over August 2025.

Comparing the first eight months of 2026 with the same period in 2025, the volume of Hong Kong's total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 29.1% and 30.0% respectively.

Comparing the three-month period ending August 2026 with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 2.1%, while the volume of imports of goods decreased by 2.1%.

Changes in volume of external merchandise trade are derived from changes in external merchandise trade value with the effect of price changes discounted.

Comparing August 2026 with August 2025, the prices of total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 18.7% and 18.0% respectively.

As regards price changes in the first eight months of 2026 over the same period in 2025, the prices of total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 10.1% and 9.8% respectively.

Price changes in external merchandise trade are reflected by changes in unit value indices of external merchandise trade, which are compiled based on average unit values or, for certain commodities, specific price data.

The terms of trade index is derived from the ratio of price index of total exports of goods to that of imports of goods. Compared with the same periods in 2025, the index increased by 0.6% in August 2026 and 0.3% in the first eight months of 2026.

Changes in the unit value and volume of total exports of goods by main destination are shown in Table 1.

Comparing August 2026 with August 2025, increases were recorded for the total export volume to Vietnam (56.5%), Taiwan (53.1%), the USA (41.8%) and Chinese Mainland (the Mainland) (31.3%). On the other hand, the total export volume to India decreased by 2.5%.

Over the same period of comparison, the total export prices to all main destinations increased: the Mainland (21.9%), Vietnam (15.8%), the USA (14.1%), India (13.1%) and Taiwan (13.0%).

Changes in the unit value and volume of imports of goods by main supplier are shown in Table 2.

Comparing August 2026 with August 2025, increases were recorded for the import volume from all main suppliers: Korea (166.9%), Vietnam (37.4%), the Mainland (31.4%), Singapore (26.4%) and Taiwan (7.0%).

Over the same period of comparison, the import prices from all main suppliers increased: Korea (37.9%), Taiwan (30.2%), Vietnam (20.2%), the Mainland (17.4%) and Singapore (16.7%).

Further information

Details of the above statistics are published in the August 2026 issue of "Hong Kong Merchandise Trade Index Numbers". Users can browse and download the report at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1020006&scode=230).

Enquiries on merchandise trade indices may be directed to the Trade Analysis Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3863 2599).

Source: AI-found images