Compliance · Hong Kong

Voice Call Compliance in Hong Kong

A practical overview of the rules that affect voice call messaging and marketing in Hong Kong, with a checklist before you launch.

Key Rules for Voice Calls in Hong Kong

Pre-recorded marketing calls fall under the UEMO and its Do-not-call Register. Person-to-person telemarketing calls are outside the UEMO, but the PDPO's direct marketing rules still require consent before personal data is used for marketing.

Some Asian markets operate do-not-call registers for marketing calls and messages, so lists should be checked before voice campaigns.

Data Protection

The Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486), overseen by the PCPD, governs data collection, including a Personal Information Collection Statement on forms and consent for direct marketing.

Keep a record of how each contact was collected, what they agreed to and when, and make it easy for them to withdraw consent.

Practical Checklist

Check whether the call is promotional or a service call, as the rules differ.
Use permitted calling numbers and caller ID, and never hide or spoof the calling number.
Screen numbers against any national do-not-call register before promotional campaigns.
Call only within permitted hours in the recipient's time zone and keep recorded messages short.
Offer an easy way to stop further calls and record call consent where required.

Contact data

Format numbers in international E.164 format with the +852 country code, remove duplicates and invalid numbers, and keep consent records linked to each number.

Timing and Language

Hong Kong follows the Asia/Hong_Kong time zone (UTC+08:00 in October 2026). The usual working week is Monday to Friday. Schedule voice call campaigns for the recipient's local daytime hours, avoid public holidays and religious observances that matter to your audience, and convert send times from IST before scheduling.

In Hong Kong, customers commonly use Cantonese, English and Mandarin. Messages in the customer's preferred language usually perform better, but check how local-language text affects character counts (for SMS) and template approval (for WhatsApp).

Digital Habits and Channels in Hong Kong

Hong Kong has very high smartphone use, and WhatsApp is the main messaging app, while WeChat is used for mainland China contacts. Since 2023 the SMS Sender Registration Scheme lets registered organisations send texts with a '#' prefix in the sender ID so recipients can recognise genuine messages.

Octopus cards, FPS (Faster Payment System), PayMe, Alipay HK and credit cards dominate payments. Lunar New Year, the Mid-Autumn Festival and the year-end shopping season are key periods, and both Chinese and English content are expected.

Hong Kong's Unsolicited Electronic Messages Ordinance requires commercial electronic messages to identify the sender and include an unsubscribe facility, and OFCA operates do-not-call registers for fax, SMS and pre-recorded voice messages that senders must check. The Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance has strict direct marketing rules: businesses must get the person's consent before using their personal data for direct marketing, and breaches can be criminal offences. There is no sales tax or VAT.

Regulators, Registers and Practical Rules in Hong Kong

Hong Kong's Unsolicited Electronic Messages Ordinance requires senders to honour do-not-call registers run by OFCA, and the PCPD enforces the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance.

Messages should be in Traditional Chinese and English. The SMS Sender Registration Scheme helps people recognise genuine senders.

Hong Kong's Unsolicited Electronic Messages Ordinance requires senders to identify themselves and honour unsubscribe requests within ten working days, and OFCA runs do-not-call registers for fax, SMS and prerecorded messages. The government has also proposed extending the regime to person-to-person telemarketing calls. CSL, 3, China Mobile Hong Kong and SmarTone are the operators, and WhatsApp is the leading app.

General guidance, not legal advice. Check current rules with the regulator or a local adviser before launch.

Advertising Alongside Messaging

Advertising must comply with the Trade Descriptions Ordinance and platform policies, with particular rules for health and financial products.

This guide is general information, not legal advice, and reflects our understanding as of October 2026. Rules change, so we check current requirements for Hong Kong before every launch.

Planning voice call campaigns for Hong Kong?

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Voice Call in Hong Kong: FAQs

Do I need consent to send marketing voice call messages in Hong Kong?

In most cases, yes, or at least an existing customer relationship and a clear opt-out. Pre-recorded marketing calls fall under the UEMO and its Do-not-call Register.

Are automated voice calls allowed in Hong Kong?

Automated and prerecorded calls are usually more tightly regulated than live calls. Check consent, calling hours and any national do-not-call register before a campaign.

Can DND Teams run voice call campaigns to Hong Kong?

Yes. We are based in Bhopal, India, and run campaigns for international markets remotely, after checking the current rules, sender requirements and coverage for Hong Kong.

Is this legal advice?

No. This guide is general information to help you plan. Regulations change and their application depends on your business, so take local legal advice for significant campaigns.