Hong Kong: Air Passenger Departure Tax To Be Increased

by Mary Swire, Tax-News.com, Hong Kong

23 July 2001

The Hong Kong government has announced that from 1 October, 2001, the Air Passenger Departure Tax (APDT) will be increased from HK$50 to HK$80.

From that date, passengers departing Hong Kong from the Hong Kong International Airport will have to pay an APDT of $80, even those holding air tickets bearing the existing tax of $50 who will have to pay the balance of $30 over the check-in counters before departure.

The APDT increase was one of the revenue proposals in the 2001-02 budget and is contained in Revenue (No.2) Ordinance 2001.

'We consider it appropriate to bring the revised tax level into effect on October 1, taking into account the need to allow the airline industry time to make the necessary arrangements, which include changing the tax amount included in the air tickets, and informing both local and overseas travel agents of the change. This commencement date has been accepted by the airline industry,' a government spokesman has said.

The spokesman added that a separate commencement date will be announced in respect of the charging of the APDT on helicopter passengers departing at the Heliport at the Hong Kong - Macao Ferry Terminal - after consulting the helicopter industry on the collection arrangements.

Recommended