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There is no single best Hong Kong trust company for every family. Hong Kong Trust Consulting is an independent consultancy. We help you compare licensed TCSPs on the Companies Registry register. We are not a Trust Service provider and do not act as trustee.
Hong Kong trust services typically include forming and administering a Hong Kong trust under the Trustee Ordinance (Cap. 29), with KYC/CDD performed by a licensed TCSP. Execution must be handled by a licensed firm, not by this consultancy.
We provide a free assessment, shortlist licensed TCSPs suited to your structure, and introduce you to their compliance team. You appoint the trustee. We never hold assets or issue a TCSP licence.
Families often want a licensed fiduciary for multi-country probate, business succession, later-life capacity, or heirs living abroad. A Hong Kong trust is not legal or tax advice by itself. Hong Kong Trust Consulting compares licensed TCSPs; we do not act as trustee.
A person carrying on trust or company service business in Hong Kong generally needs a TCSP licence from the Companies Registry under AMLO. Unlicensed trustee businesses can be an offence. Lawyers and accountants may be exempt when acting in professional capacity. We are not a licensee.
A TCSP licence is typically valid for three years and may carry conditions. Licensees must keep fit-and-proper controllers, appoint a compliance officer and MLRO, and follow CDD and five-year record-keeping rules.
A non-binding note from the settlor to the trustee about how they hope discretion will be used. It is not the deed. Trustees of a discretionary trust still decide distributions.
A will speaks on death and usually goes through probate. A living Hong Kong trust can hold assets while you are alive. Many families use both. Neither replaces tax or matrimonial advice.
Hong Kong abolished estate duty for deaths on or after 11 February 2006. That does not remove UK, US or other estate or inheritance taxes on situs assets or long-term residents. Instruct counsel in each country.
Licensed TCSPs quote setup and annual fees based on assets, complexity and KYC risk. We do not set those fees. A free assessment helps you see which desks are even relevant before you pay a retainer to the wrong firm.
Some Hong Kong deeds reserve defined investment powers. Reserved control can affect asset-protection analysis. That is a legal-design question for counsel and the licensed trustee, not a slogan.
No public ranking of “best hong kong trust companies” fits every family. We are an independent hong kong trust consultant. We compare licensed TCSPs; we do not publish a paid league table and we do not act as trustee.