Statistics on trade involving outward processing in the mainland of China, fourth quarter 2023
In the fourth quarter of 2023, 17.3% of Hong Kong’s total exports to the mainland of China (the Mainland) were for outward processing in the Mainland. On the other hand, 29.4% of Hong Kong’s imports from the Mainland were related to outward processing in the Mainland, according to statistics released today (March 11) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD). Over the same period, 59.2% of Hong Kong’s re-exports of Mainland origin to other places were produced through outward processing in the Mainland.
In the fourth quarter of 2022, the corresponding proportions were 17.8% for total exports to the Mainland, 29.6% for imports from the Mainland and 59.6% for re-exports of Mainland origin to other places.
For 2023 as a whole, 17.0% of Hong Kong’s total exports to the Mainland were for outward processing in the Mainland. On the other hand, 29.5% of Hong Kong’s imports from the Mainland were related to outward processing in the Mainland. Over the same period, 59.9% of Hong Kong’s re-exports of Mainland origin to other places were produced through outward processing in the Mainland.
The corresponding proportions in 2022 were 18.0% for total exports to the Mainland, 30.7% for imports from the Mainland and 60.0% for re-exports of Mainland origin to other places.
In value terms, $115.0 billion of Hong Kong’s total exports to the Mainland in the fourth quarter of 2023 were for outward processing in the Mainland, representing an increase of 6.5% compared with the fourth quarter of 2022. On the other hand, the value of imports from the Mainland related to outward processing in the Mainland increased by 7.5% compared with the fourth quarter of 2022 to $164.8 billion. Meanwhile, $175.8 billion of Hong Kong’s re-exports of Mainland origin to other places were produced through outward processing in the Mainland, representing a decrease of 1.1% compared with the fourth quarter of 2022.
For the whole year of 2023, $396.3 billion of Hong Kong’s total exports to the Mainland were for outward processing in the Mainland, representing a decrease of 14.3% compared with the whole year of 2022. On the other hand, the value of imports from the Mainland related to outward processing in the Mainland decreased by 6.8% compared with the whole year of 2022 to $592.5 billion. Meanwhile, $679.5 billion of Hong Kong’s re-exports of Mainland origin to other places were produced through outward processing in the Mainland, representing a decrease of 10.5% compared with the whole year of 2022.
The statistics for the fourth quarter and whole year of 2023 are given in the attached tables.
Information on trade involving outward processing in the Mainland is collected in a sample survey conducted by the C&SD. For the purpose of the survey, exports to the Mainland for outward processing refer to raw materials or semi-manufactures exported from or through Hong Kong to the Mainland for processing with a contractual arrangement for subsequent re-importation of the processed goods into Hong Kong.
Imports from the Mainland related to outward processing refer to processed goods imported from the Mainland, of which all or part of the raw materials or semi-manufactures have been under contractual arrangement exported from or through Hong Kong to the Mainland for processing.
Re-exports of Mainland origin to other places involving outward processing in the Mainland refer to processed goods re-exported through Hong Kong, of which all or part of the raw materials or semi-manufactures have been exported from or through Hong Kong to the Mainland for processing with a contractual arrangement for subsequent re-importation of the processed goods into Hong Kong.
In interpreting the statistics, it should be noted that all imports and exports of goods (not including transhipments and goods-in-transit) are recorded as external trade, irrespective of whether the goods are associated with outward processing or not. Moreover, the value and proportion of imports from the Mainland and re-exports of Mainland origin to other places involving outward processing in the Mainland refer to those of the entire goods instead of just the value added contributed by outward processing in the Mainland.
A sample of import/export declarations in respect of Hong Kong’s trade with the Mainland and Hong Kong’s re-exports originated in the Mainland to other places is selected for enumeration to obtain the required information from the establishments concerned. The findings of the survey facilitate a more informed analysis of the nature of Hong Kong’s trade with the Mainland. In this respect, the survey results are a useful supplement to the regular trade statistics.
Users can download the times series of outward processing trade statistics in Tables 410-52001 to 410-52003 (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode230.html) at the website of the C&SD.
As C&SD has ceased to conduct the related survey, this series of press release and the related statistical tables will cease to be published or updated after this issue.
Enquiries on the survey results may be directed to the Electronic Trading Services and Cargo Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 2126 or email: ops@censtatd.gov.hk). read more
