Hong Kong invoice requirements and record keeping
What a Hong Kong business invoice should show and how long the Inland Revenue Department expects you to keep it.
Hong Kong has no VAT or GST, so there is no legal list of mandatory VAT invoice fields. Invoices still matter: they are business records. Section 51C of the Inland Revenue Ordinance requires every person carrying on a business in Hong Kong to keep records in English or Chinese that show income and expenditure. Invoices, receipts, vouchers and bank statements are named as supporting documents.
- Records must be in English or Chinese.
- Keep them for at least 7 years after the transactions they relate to.
- Invoices, receipts, vouchers and bank statements count as supporting records.
- Failure to keep records without reasonable excuse can lead to a fine of up to HK$100,000.
How it works
Number every invoice in one running sequence so gaps are easy to explain.
Show your business name, address, the customer name, the invoice date and a clear description of goods or services.
Show quantity, price, total and currency. State the payment terms and how to pay.
Save each invoice as a PDF and store it with its bank statement line and any contract or order.
Keep the set for at least 7 years. The IRD publishes guidance on keeping records in electronic form.
Legal framework
- Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112), section 51C — business records.
- IRD: Record Keeping (ird.gov.hk).
- IRD information pamphlet: A Guide to Keeping Business Records.
Frequently asked questions
Does Hong Kong require VAT registration numbers on invoices?
No. Hong Kong has no VAT or GST, so there is no VAT number on a Hong Kong invoice. Many businesses show their business registration number.
Can I keep invoices only in electronic form?
The IRD has published guidance on the admissibility of business records kept in electronic form. Read it, and keep records readable and complete.
Does 4invoices keep my records for the legal period?
4invoices creates invoices with a tax rate per line, supports any currency with an exchange rate, and downloads a PDF. It does not connect to the Inland Revenue Department, file returns or keep legally validated archives. The 6-month free trial needs no card. Store your own copies for 7 years.