Hong Kong gazettes Bill to digitise trade documents under UN model law
Hong Kong published the Electronic Transactions (Amendment) Bill 2026 on 6 November to legalise electronic transferable records such as bills of lading. The bill aligns with the UN Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records, aiming to cut business costs and boost trade competitiveness.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government gazetted the Electronic Transactions (Amendment) Bill 2026 on 6 November, introducing a legal framework for electronic transferable records such as bills of lading, bills of exchange and promissory notes.
A spokesman for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau said the bill implements measures announced in the 2025-26 Budget and the 2025 Policy Address to further digitise business-to-business trade documents. It aims to reduce administrative costs for enterprises and improve trade traceability, thereby maintaining and enhancing Hong Kong's status as an international trading hub.
The bill follows the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law's Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records, providing a legal framework aligned with international standards. It allows electronic records to function on a par with paper documents, offering an option rather than mandating the replacement of paper.
Under the bill, a new part will be added to the Electronic Transactions Ordinance (Cap. 553) specifically for electronic transferable records. This section will largely follow the Model Law's framework and principles of functional equivalence and technological neutrality, specifying how to handle the concepts of uniqueness, control and reliability of documents in an electronic environment through reliable methods.
The spokesman noted that 13 jurisdictions have already enacted legislation based on the Model Law, including mainland China, France, Singapore and the United Kingdom – all major trading partners of Hong Kong. As an international financial, shipping and trading centre, Hong Kong must ensure its legal system aligns with global standards to keep pace with the digitalisation of global trade. The bill will facilitate cross-border interoperability and create a favourable environment for the industry to develop tailored technical solutions, helping Hong Kong maintain its competitive edge in the digital trade era.
The bill is scheduled for its first and second readings in the Legislative Council on 18 November.