HSIC G—Import/export, wholesale and retail trades

Where G sits

1. G Import/export, wholesale and retail trades

Contains 3 narrower codes

• 45 Import and export trade
• 46 Wholesale
• 47 Retail trade

What G includes

• This Industry Section includes wholesale and retail sale (i.e. sale without transformation) of any type of goods, and rendering services incidental to the sale of merchandise. Wholesaling and retailing are the final steps in the distribution of merchandise.
• Sale without transformation refers to the usual operations associated with trade, for example sorting, grading and assembling of goods, mixing of goods, bottling (with or without preceding bottle cleaning), packing, breaking bulk and repacking for distribution in smaller lots, storage (whether or not frozen or chilled).
• Wholesale is the resale (sale without transformation) of new and used goods to retailers, to industrial, commercial, institutional or professional users, or to other wholesalers, or involves acting as an agent or broker in buying merchandise for, or selling merchandise to, such persons or companies. The principal types of businesses included are merchant wholesalers, i.e. wholesalers who take title to the goods they sell.
• Wholesalers frequently physically assemble, sort and grade goods in large lots, break bulk, repack and redistribute in smaller lots, for example pharmaceuticals; store, refrigerate, deliver and install goods, engage in sales promotion for their customers and label design.
• Being one of the most important trade sectors in Hong Kong, international wholesaling is specially grouped under Industry Division 45 (Import and export trade). It includes all activities related to the import of goods for domestic wholesaling or export as well as off-shore transactions. Buying agents or commission agents arranging for import, export of goods or off-shore transactions are also included. However, establishments engaged in the import of goods for own retailing are classified as retailers in Industry Division 47 (Retail trade).
• Industry Division 46 (Wholesale) is dedicated for domestic wholesaling activities and Industry Division 47 (Retail trade) for retailing activities. Distinction between them is based on the predominant type of customer.
• Retailing is the resale (sale without transformation) of new and used goods mainly to the general public for personal or household consumption or utilisation, by shops, department stores, stalls, mail-order houses, hawkers and peddlers, consumer

G in other systems