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Buy Hong Kong dollars before you land
Buy Hong Kong dollars online from US First Exchange and arrive in Hong Kong with cash ready for the airport express, a taxi or your first dim sum. We are a Los Angeles currency exchange registered with FinCEN, part of the US Treasury, as a Money Services Business. Choose your amount in the order form on this page and see your full price before you pay.
Where you will use Hong Kong dollars
Cards and mobile payments are common in Hong Kong's hotels, malls and chain restaurants. Cash is still handy for older taxis, small noodle shops and dai pai dong food stalls, street markets such as Temple Street and the Ladies' Market, and for topping up an Octopus card, which you can use on the MTR, buses, ferries and in convenience stores.
Hong Kong dollars are also widely accepted in Macau. Mainland China uses the yuan, so you will need Chinese yuan if your trip continues across the border.
A currency pegged to the US dollar
The Hong Kong dollar is linked to the US dollar under Hong Kong's Linked Exchange Rate System, which keeps it trading in a narrow band of 7.75 to 7.85 Hong Kong dollars per US dollar. That makes it one of the most stable currencies to budget a trip in.
Hong Kong dollar banknotes at a glance
Unusually, most Hong Kong banknotes are issued by three commercial banks: HSBC, Standard Chartered and Bank of China (Hong Kong). The government issues the $10 note. All designs are legal tender. We source Hong Kong dollars as orders come in, so the exact mix of notes depends on availability at the time of your order.
| Note | Typical use |
|---|---|
| $10 and $20 HKD | Snacks, tips, Octopus top-ups |
| $50 and $100 HKD | Meals, taxis, everyday spending |
| $500 HKD | Larger purchases |
| $1,000 HKD | Large payments; some small shops may refuse it |
How to buy Hong Kong dollars online
- Choose your amount. Select Hong Kong dollar and enter how much you want. You can add other currencies to the same order.
- Pay securely. Pay by credit or debit card, e-check, check, cashier's check or money order.
- Verify your identity. Upload a valid US government-issued ID, as federal rules require.
- Receive your delivery. Choose FedEx 2Day or Overnight and track your package.
See the full process on how it works.
Payment and delivery
Pay by credit or debit card, e-check, check, cashier's check or money order. We do not accept bank wire, ACH or PayPal payments.
| Payment method | Time to clear |
|---|---|
| Credit or debit card | Up to 72 business hours |
| Check, e-check, cashier's check or money order | Up to 7 business days from the day payment is received and processed |
Check payments take longer because of our due diligence checks. Once your payment clears, your order ships by FedEx with full-value insurance and tracking.
| Shipping option | Cost |
|---|---|
| FedEx 2Day | $24 |
| FedEx Overnight | $34 |
| Orders of $5,000 or more | Free |
An adult (18+) must sign for the package. We deliver to every U.S. state except Texas, Illinois, Washington and New Mexico; Alaska and Hawaii are treated as international deliveries.
Because we source Hong Kong dollars to order, allow a little extra time and order well before your trip.
Why buy Hong Kong dollars from US First Exchange
- Verified notes checked on De La Rue verification machines before they ship.
- Fully insured FedEx delivery, free on orders of $5,000 or more.
- Rate locked at checkout, so the price you see is the price you pay.
- Registered and compliant. We are registered with FinCEN, part of the US Treasury, as a Money Services Business and follow federal know-your-customer rules. Read our compliance statement.
- A real US business. Our office is at 550 South Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013. We serve customers by mail and phone; there is no walk-in counter.
- People who pick up the phone. Call 310-982-1743, 10am–5pm Pacific Time.
- Sell back leftovers. Home with Hong Kong dollars to spare? Sell Hong Kong dollars for US dollars.
Visiting more than one country? See every currency on our buy foreign currency page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Hong Kong dollars in Macau?
Yes. Hong Kong dollars are widely accepted in Macau, though change is often given in Macanese patacas.
Can I use Hong Kong dollars in mainland China?
No. Mainland China uses the Chinese yuan (renminbi).
Why do Hong Kong banknotes look different?
Three commercial banks issue most Hong Kong notes, each with its own design, and the government issues the $10 note. All are legal tender.
How long does it take to get Hong Kong dollars delivered?
Your order ships once your payment clears and your notes are sourced: card payments clear in up to 72 business hours, check payments in up to 7 business days. Order well before you travel.
How much is shipping?
FedEx 2Day costs $24 and FedEx Overnight costs $34. Shipping is free on orders of $5,000 or more.
Is there a minimum order?
There is no minimum order. Larger orders need extra identity verification, and government reporting rules may apply.
Can I buy Hong Kong dollars with a credit card?
Yes. We accept Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards. Your card issuer may treat the purchase as a cash advance, so check with them first.
Do you accept wire transfers, ACH or PayPal?
No. We accept credit and debit cards, e-checks, checks, cashier's checks and money orders.
Do I need to be home to receive my order?
Yes. An adult aged 18 or over must sign for the package at the address on your order.
Can I return Hong Kong dollars?
All sales are final and currency cannot be returned. You can sell it back to us later at our posted buyback rate.