Hong Kong is one of the easiest places in the world to buy gold with confidence. There is no sales tax, VAT or GST on jewellery, shop prices for pure gold follow the Chinese Gold and Silver Exchange Society's daily quote, and by law every gold article must be marked with its fineness and sold with a receipt stating weight and purity. The best streets are Nathan Road in Mong Kok for traditional gold, Tsim Sha Tsui and Causeway Bay for diamonds and brands, and the Jade Market in Yau Ma Tei for jade. This guide covers where to go, which shops to trust and what to check before you pay.
Why buy gold and jewellery in Hong Kong?
No sales tax
Hong Kong levies duty on only four kinds of goods, liquor, tobacco, hydrocarbon oil and methyl alcohol, according to the Customs and Excise Department. There is no VAT, GST or general sales tax, so the price on the tag is the price you pay and there is no refund paperwork at the airport.
Transparent metal pricing
Pure gold is sold by weight. Retailers quote a daily price per tael (37.429 grams) or per gram for 999.9 gold that tracks the Chinese Gold and Silver Exchange Society, the Sheung Wan exchange founded in 1910 that has set Hong Kong's reference gold price ever since. The workmanship charge is quoted separately, so two shops can be compared line by line.
A deep, regulated market
Retail sales of jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts grew 1.9% in value in 2025 according to the Census and Statistics Department's 2025 retail sales release, within total retail sales of HK$380.5 billion. Three of the world's largest jewellery chains are headquartered here and listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange.
Where should you shop?
| Area | Best for | What you will find | MTR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nathan Road, Mong Kok | Traditional pure gold, bridal sets, bangles | The densest run of jewellers in the city between Mong Kok Road and Dundas Street, mostly chain branches side by side | Mong Kok, exit D3 |
| Tsim Sha Tsui | Diamonds, international brands, mid to luxury | Haiphong Road, Canton Road and the Harbour City and iSQUARE malls | Tsim Sha Tsui |
| Causeway Bay | Contemporary designs, department stores | International and local boutiques around Times Square, Hysan Place and Sogo | Causeway Bay |
| Jade Market, Yau Ma Tei | Jade, pearls, silver, gifts | Around 400 stalls under the Kansu Street flyover; bargaining expected; most stalls trade late morning to mid afternoon | Yau Ma Tei, 5-minute walk |
| Central and Sheung Wan | High jewellery, auction houses, the gold exchange itself | Landmark and IFC malls; the Chinese Gold and Silver Exchange is in Sheung Wan | Central, Sheung Wan |
Which jewellery chains can tourists trust?
The three big Hong Kong chains sell certified 999.9 gold, 18K gold and diamond jewellery with fixed, displayed prices, itemised receipts and certificates. All three are publicly listed companies with branches on every major shopping street. Their listings on Portal Hong Kong are in the jewellery category.
- Chow Sang Sang (ε¨ηη): pure gold, 18K and diamond ranges with prices displayed in store and online.
- Chow Tai Fook (ε¨ε€§η¦): the biggest name in traditional gold, with a real-time gold price published on its own website.
- Lukfook Jewellery (ε η¦η ε―Ά): competitive gold pricing and a large range of traditional Chinese gold, accredited under the Tourism Board's Quality Tourism Services scheme.
What does the law require the shop to do?
The Trade Descriptions (Marking) (Gold and Gold Alloy) Order (Cap. 362A) requires every article of gold or gold alloy supplied at retail to be marked with its fineness, sets a minimum of 8 karat (333 parts per thousand) for anything described as gold, and requires the retailer to issue a receipt stating the fineness, and the weight if the article is pure gold, and to keep a copy for at least three years. Misdescribing purity is an offence under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, enforced by Hong Kong Customs. Separately, the Hong Kong Tourism Board's Quality Tourism Services scheme accredits retailers that display prices clearly and pass an annual assessment; look for the gold and black QTS sign on the door.
Which type of gold should you buy?
| Type | Purity | Marked as | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pure gold (θΆ³ι, Chuk Kam) | 99.9% or 99.99% | 999 or 999.9 | Investment, traditional bangles and bridal sets, gifts for births and weddings |
| 18K gold | 75% gold | 750 or 18K | Contemporary jewellery, diamond settings, everyday wear |
| White gold | 18K alloy, usually rhodium plated | 750 or 18K | Modern designs, engagement rings |
| Rose gold | 18K alloy with copper | 750 or 18K | Fashion pieces |
How do you avoid a bad deal?
- Check the day's gold price first. The CGSE quote and the chains' own displayed prices tell you what the metal is worth; the difference between that and the ticket is the workmanship charge.
- Insist on the receipt. It must show fineness and weight. For diamonds, ask for a GIA or HRD grading report and check the laser inscription matches.
- Buy from QTS-accredited shops if it is your first time. The Tourism Board handles enquiries and complaints about accredited merchants.
- Bargain in the right place. Expected at the Jade Market and small independents; not on the metal price in chain stores, though the workmanship charge on a large order is sometimes negotiable.
- Go on a weekday. Nathan Road on a Saturday afternoon is slow going; weekday mornings are calmer and staff have time to weigh and explain.
- Know your home allowance. Hong Kong charges nothing on the way out, but your own customs may charge duty on the way in.
How do you get to the jewellery districts?
- Nathan Road, Mong Kok: MTR Mong Kok station (Tsuen Wan or Kwun Tong line), exit D3.
- Tsim Sha Tsui: MTR Tsim Sha Tsui station (Tsuen Wan line) or East Tsim Sha Tsui (Tuen Ma line).
- Causeway Bay: MTR Causeway Bay station (Island line).
- Jade Market: MTR Yau Ma Tei station, exit C, then five minutes on foot to Kansu Street.
Browse jewellers, markets and shopping destinations across the city on Portal Hong Kong, or start with the district pages linked in the table above.
Frequently asked questions
- Is gold cheaper in Hong Kong?
- The gold itself is priced off the international market, so the metal costs roughly the same as anywhere. What makes Hong Kong cheaper is the absence of sales tax, VAT or GST on jewellery, a competitive retail market where the metal price is displayed and the workmanship charge is quoted separately, and legal marking of fineness. Savings compared with home depend on your home country's tax rate.
- Where is the best place to buy gold in Hong Kong?
- For traditional pure gold, Nathan Road in Mong Kok has the densest cluster of jewellers, most of them branches of the listed chains. For diamonds and international brands, Tsim Sha Tsui and Causeway Bay. For jade and inexpensive pieces, the Jade Market on Kansu Street in Yau Ma Tei. First-time buyers do best in a chain store where prices are fixed and displayed.
- How is gold priced in Hong Kong shops?
- By weight. Shops quote a per-tael or per-gram price for 999.9 gold that follows the Chinese Gold and Silver Exchange Society's daily quote (one Hong Kong tael is 37.429 grams), then add a workmanship or craftsmanship charge per piece. The receipt must show fineness and weight, so you can check the metal value yourself.
- How do I know the gold is genuine?
- Hong Kong law requires every article of gold or gold alloy sold at retail to be marked with its fineness, and the shop must issue a receipt stating fineness and weight and keep a copy for three years. Buy from a shop displaying the Hong Kong Tourism Board's Quality Tourism Services sign, and keep the receipt for any complaint.
- Can I bargain in Hong Kong jewellery shops?
- In chain stores the metal price is fixed; you can sometimes negotiate the workmanship charge on larger purchases. In independent shops and at the Jade Market, bargaining is expected. Never bargain away the receipt or the certificate.
- What is the difference between 999.9 gold, 18K and 'Chuk Kam'?
- Chuk Kam (θΆ³ι) means pure gold, marked 999 or 999.9, and is what traditional bangles, bridal sets and investment pieces are made of. 18K is 75% gold alloyed for hardness and is used for contemporary designs and diamond settings. White and rose gold are 18K alloys with different metals added.
