29th September 2025 – (Hong Kong) The Hong Kong government has implemented stricter procurement guidelines for information technology products, requiring suppliers to provide authorised dealer certificates to exclude parallel imports, commonly known as “grey market goods.”
The Digital Policy Office (DPO), which manages the central procurement system, confirmed the policy shift in response to inquiries. The move follows recent public scrutiny of government procurement standards, triggered by an incident where a supplier was found providing counterfeit bottled drinking water to government offices.
Under the revised framework, suppliers participating in the Government IT Procurement (GITP) scheme must now submit documentation proving their products are sourced through official distribution channels. The updated requirements, which took effect in August, cover key categories including network equipment, server systems, and microcomputer devices.
A spokesperson for the DPO stated that the government has never accepted used, refurbished, or parallel-imported equipment. “To strengthen the implementation of these stipulations across government departments, the DPO revised the GITP procurement invitation template in August 2025,” the spokesperson explained. “Departments are now instructed to require tenderers to submit authorised distribution proof where applicable, confirming products are genuine.”
The enhanced verification process aims to safeguard the quality and security of procured equipment while preventing non-compliant goods from entering the government supply chain. The DPO confirmed it would continue monitoring the current system and refining the overall strategy for government IT procurement.