Home SWIFT/BIC code Hong Kong
Hong Kong SWIFT/BIC code validator
How the SWIFT/BIC code format works
- Format
- 8 or 11-character bank identifier code, country code HK in positions 5-6
- Example
- HSBCHKHH
Things to watch for
- Structure: 4-letter bank code + HK (country) + 2-character location code, plus an optional 3-character branch code
- An 8-character code (or one ending XXX) refers to the bank's head office in Hong Kong
- No checksum digit — this is a format check only; it confirms positions 5-6 read HK, not that the bank or branch actually exists
^[A-Z]{4}HK[A-Z0-9]{2}([A-Z0-9]{3})?$A Hong Kong SWIFT/BIC code identifies the bank on an international wire transfer. Hong Kong keeps its own SWIFT country code, HK, distinct from mainland China’s CN — the two are separate banking jurisdictions even for banks that share a name, like Bank of China’s Hong Kong subsidiary versus its mainland parent. Every Hong Kong BIC has HK fixed at positions 5-6, right after the 4-letter bank code, and the territory’s major banks all base their head office in the city itself.
Major Hong Kong bank BIC prefixes
| Bank | BIC | Location |
|---|---|---|
| HSBC | HSBCHKHH | Hong Kong |
| Bank of China (Hong Kong) | BKCHHKHH | Hong Kong |
| Hang Seng Bank | HASEHKHH | Hong Kong |
How this validator works
This tool checks that the code is 8 or 11 characters, the first 4 characters are letters, positions 5-6 read HK, and the location and optional branch segments use only letters and digits — entirely client-side, with nothing sent to a server.
What a pass doesn’t tell you
A pass confirms the code is shaped like a real Hong Kong BIC, not that HSBC, BKCH, or HASE still names an operating bank, or that the branch suffix is current. SWIFT/BIC codes have no built-in checksum, so a fabricated code that fits the shape still passes.
Scope: format validation only. Hong Kong uses local clearing codes for domestic FPS and interbank transfers — the SWIFT/BIC code is what matters for cross-border wires.
SWIFT/BIC code FAQ
What's the SWIFT code format for a Hong Kong bank?
A Hong Kong BIC is 8 or 11 characters: a 4-letter bank code, HK fixed at positions 5-6, a 2-character location code, and an optional 3-character branch code — for example HSBCHKHH for HSBC's Hong Kong head office.
How do I read a Hong Kong BIC?
In BKCHHKHH, BKCH identifies Bank of China (Hong Kong), HK is the country code, and HH is the location code — note this is a separate BIC from Bank of China's mainland entity, which uses CN as its country code instead.
Does an 8-character code work for a Hong Kong bank?
Yes — the 8-character BIC and its 11-character form ending XXX both point to the bank's head office and are accepted the same way on payment instructions.