Subject to the conditions set out in section 45 of the Stamp Duty Ordinance ("the Ordinance"), stamp duty relief is available for the transfer of immovable property or shares from one associated body corporate to another. Please refer to the Stamping Procedures and Explanatory Notes on “Intra Group Relief” [IRSD124] for the application procedures.
Stock Borrowing Relief
Transfer of shares under stock borrowing and lending transactions may be exempted from stamp duty. For details, please refer to the Stamp Office Interpretation and Practice Notes on “Relief for Stock Borrowing and Lending Transactions”. Please also refer to the Stamping Procedures and Explanatory Notes on “Stock Borrowing Relief – Revised Procedures” [U3/SOG/PN06A] for the application procedures.
Islamic Bond Scheme Relief
Where specified conditions are met, sections 47E, 47F and 47G of the Ordinance provide stamp duty relief on the transfer of bonds and certain instruments, not otherwise required in the case of conventional bonds, issued or executed under Islamic bond schemes solely for compliance of Sharia principles. For details, please refer to the Stamp Office Interpretation and Practice Notes No. 6 on “Alternative Bond Schemes”
Electronic registration of Stock Borrowing and Lending Agreement (SBLA)
Stamp Office has launched a new electronic service allowing online registration of SBLA via e-Tax with effect from 23 April 2012. Please refer to the Stamping Procedures and Explanatory Notes on "Stock Borrowing Relief - Electronic Registration of Stock Borrowing and Lending Agreement" [U3/SOG/PN08A] for details.
Screen shots of the e-registration services
Approved standard versions of SBLA
| Publishers of Approved SBLA | Approved SBLA | PDF Format |
| 1. | International Securities Lending Association | Overseas Securities Lender's Agreement, version 1995 |
| 2. | Master Gilt Edged Stock Lending Agreement, version 1996 | |
| 3. | Master Equity & Fixed Interest Stock Lending Agreement, version 1997 | |
| 4. | Global Master Securities Lending Agreement, version 2000 | |
| 5. | Global Master Securities Lending Agreement, version 2010 | |
| 6. | Global Master Securities Lending Agreement (Security Interest over Collateral - 2018 version) | |
| 7. | Public Securities Association/International Securities Market Association | Global Master Repurchase Agreement, version 1995 |
| 8. | The Bond Market Association/International Securities Market Association | Global Master Repurchase Agreement, version 2000 |
| 9. | The Bond Market Association | Master Securities Loan Agreement, version 1993 |
| 10. | Master Repurchase Agreement, version 1996 | |
| 11. | Master Securities Loan Agreement, version 2000 | |
| 12. | Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association/International Capital Market Association | Global Master Repurchase Agreement, version 2011 |
| 13. | Others | Rahmenvertrag für Wertpapierdarlehen |
Miscellaneous relief on Stock Transactions
Exclusion from application of the Electronic Transaction Ordinance (Cap.553)
Other than contract notes issued and stamped by stock brokers in respect of a trade effected through the Stock Exchange, all instruments subject to stamping or denoting under the Stamp Duty Ordinance (Cap. 117) cannot be made or executed by electronic means.
Profits Tax Liabilities on Property Dealing
Duty payers are reminded that despite the payment of stamp duty, there are also profits tax liabilities in respect of the assessable profits from the buying and selling of landed properties in the course of a trading adventure in Hong Kong.
Stamping Procedures and Explanatory Notes
1. Hong Kong Stock