Hong Kong Stock Exchange: Arrangements to pay stamp duty in RMB for dual counter transactions are expected to be implemented in mid-2027 

The Zhitong Finance App learned that the Hong Kong Stock Exchange issued an announcement on July 22, stating that the “Stamp Duty (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2026” (“Amendment Bill”) has been passed by the Legislative Council, with reference to the press release issued by the Hong Kong Government on July 8, 2026 relating to the arrangement for calculating and paying stamp duty in RMB counter transactions in RMB. The Stamp Duty (Amendment) (No. 2) Ordinance 2026 (the “Amendment Ordinance”) was gazetted on July 17, 2026. The effective date will later be specified by the Hong Kong Secretary for Finance through a notice in the Gazette. According to the Amendment Regulations, stamp duty generated at the RMB double-counter stock exchange will be calculated and paid in RMB.

The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the “Stock Exchange”) will also make corresponding arrangements to support market participants to pay Hong Kong Securities Regulatory Commission transaction levies, Hong Kong Accounting and Financial Reporting Council (“Financial Services Council”) transaction levies, investor compensation levies, and transaction fees to the Stock Exchange (collectively, “transaction-related fees”) for dual-counter securities transactions in RMB, to comply with relevant stamp duty arrangements and provide consistent monetary arrangements for payment of stamp duty and transaction-related fees.

The above arrangement is expected to be implemented in mid-2027, subject to the Hong Kong Government's announcement of the effective date of the Amendment, regulatory approvals and market preparations. In addition, the Exchange will update the declaration forms required for exchange participants to submit on stamp duty and transaction related expenses, and details of the relevant operating arrangements will be announced in due course.