Hong Kong Money Service Operator Licence
If you run a currency exchange or a remittance (money transfer) business in Hong Kong, you need a Money Service Operator (MSO) licence from the Customs and Excise Department. This is the plain-language guide — and a live directory of every licensed operator.
The figures above are pulled live, every day from the Customs and Excise Department's official register, published through DATA.GOV.HK.
Start here
🏦 What is an MSO?
A Money Service Operator runs a money-changing service, a remittance service, or both. Find out exactly what counts.
⚖️ The law & its origins
The licence exists under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615). Here's how it came to be.
🧭 Who needs one?
Currency exchanges, remittance firms, fintech and payment startups, forex kiosks. See the common use cases.
📝 How to apply
A step-by-step walk-through of the online application via the Customs e-Services portal, and the documents you'll need.
💵 What does it cost?
The application and licence fees under AMLO Schedule 3, plus the real-world costs of compliance.
🔎 Directory
Search every licensed operator by name, filter by district, and see day-to-day changes to the register.
Why this site exists
The official information about the MSO licence is accurate but scattered across guidelines, forms, PDFs and an application portal. This site brings it together in plain English and Traditional Chinese, and pairs it with a directory that mirrors the official register — refreshed automatically every day.
It is an independent educational resource. It is not the government, and nothing here is legal advice — see the disclaimer and sources.