Bank of China Hong Kong Bank Code: 012, SWIFT & Branch Codes

Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited's clearing code is 012 — the 3-digit identifier used for local HKD transfers within Hong Kong. For international wire transfers, the SWIFT code is BKCHHKHHXXX. Both serve different transfer types — here's what each one is, when to use it, and what to watch out for when filling in a form.

Code Type	Code	When to Use
Clearing Code	012	Local HKD transfers within Hong Kong
SWIFT / BIC Code	BKCHHKHHXXX	International wire transfers
Full Bank Name	Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited	All formal bank documents and forms

What Is the Bank of China Hong Kong Bank Code?

In Hong Kong's interbank settlement network, every licensed bank holds a unique 3-digit clearing code. This number routes local HKD payments between institutions and is managed by Hong Kong Interbank Clearing Limited (HKICL).

Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited's clearing code is 012.

When receiving a local HKD transfer, you provide this code alongside your account number. Most transfer forms have a dedicated bank code field; others display it as the first three digits of the full account string — for example, 012-XXXXXXXX. Either way, the bank code is always 012.

This clearing code only works inside Hong Kong's local payment infrastructure. It has no function for transfers originating from outside the territory — those require the SWIFT code.

Bank of China Hong Kong SWIFT Code

For international wire transfers, banks identify themselves through a SWIFT code — also called a BIC (Bank Identifier Code). Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited's SWIFT code is:

BKCHHKHHXXX

Segment	Characters	Meaning
Bank code	BKCH	Identifier for Bank of China HK
Country code	HK	Hong Kong
Location code	HH	Central (head office location)
Branch code	XXX	Head office — default for all branches

BKCHHKHHXXX covers virtually all incoming international wire transfers, regardless of which BOC HK branch holds your account. The XXX suffix identifies the head office and is accepted universally. If a specific branch SWIFT code is requested (uncommon), check with BOC HK or your account documentation directly.

When to Use Each Code

Transfer Type	Code Required	Notes
Local HKD transfer (HK bank to HK bank)	012	Used in CHATS and standard local interbank transfers
International wire — inbound	BKCHHKHHXXX	Provide to the overseas sender alongside your account number
FPS transfer	No bank code	Use a registered phone number, email, or FPS ID
Outbound wire transfer	Recipient's SWIFT	Enter the destination bank's SWIFT code, not BOC HK's

For everyday HK payments, 012 is all you need. The SWIFT code becomes relevant when telling an overseas client or supplier where to wire funds — or when a bank form asks for the destination bank's identifier.

BOC HK vs. Other Major Hong Kong Banks

Other major institutions in the territory follow the same 3-digit format — HSBC holds code 004, Hang Seng Bank uses 024, and Standard Chartered uses 003.

Bank	Clearing Code	SWIFT Code
Bank of China (Hong Kong)	012	BKCHHKHHXXX
HSBC Hong Kong	004	HSBCHKHHXXX
Hang Seng Bank	024	HASEHKHHXXX
Standard Chartered HK	003	SCBLHKHHXXX

Receiving International Payments Without SWIFT

For businesses that regularly receive payments from overseas clients, routing each transaction through a SWIFT wire has real costs — per-transfer fees from the sending bank, any correspondent banks in the chain, and occasionally the receiving bank too. Settlement typically takes T+1 to T+3 business days.

PhotonPay is a payment platform licensed in Hong Kong that gives businesses dedicated local receiving accounts in HKD and 60+ other currencies. For payment settlement, overseas clients can pay through local payment rails in their own country — bypassing SWIFT correspondent chains entirely. The Photon Wallet consolidates HKD, USD, EUR, GBP, and other currencies in one account:

Local HKD receiving account — clients in Hong Kong transfer directly without SWIFT routing, so no correspondent bank fees reduce the amount received
60+ currency wallets — receive USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, SGD and more without opening a separate bank account for each currency
Stablecoin support — accept USDT or USDC from clients and settle automatically to your target fiat currency
97% of transactions settle in real time — no international bank transfer delays caused by SWIFT correspondent chains
200,000+ businesses use PhotonPay for international payment management across 200+ countries

A dedicated payment account doesn't replace a bank account — but for high-frequency international transactions, it removes the per-transfer SWIFT overhead from every inbound payment.

Common Mistakes When Using BOC HK Bank Codes

Using mainland Bank of China's SWIFT code — Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited and Bank of China (mainland) are separate legal entities. Mainland China's SWIFT code is BKCHCNBJ — sending to that code will not reach a BOC HK account and the transfer will be returned.
Dropping the XXX suffix — Some forms accept the 8-character base code (BKCHHKHH), but always include the full 11-character code BKCHHKHHXXX. Omitting XXX can cause routing ambiguity with some sending banks.
Using the clearing code (012) for an international transfer — The 012 code only functions within Hong Kong's local clearing network. An overseas bank cannot use it — international transfers require the SWIFT code BKCHHKHHXXX.

FAQ

What is the Bank of China Hong Kong clearing code?

Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited's 3-digit clearing code is 012. It is required for local HKD transfers within Hong Kong's interbank settlement network.

What is the SWIFT code for Bank of China Hong Kong?

The SWIFT/BIC code for Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited is BKCHHKHHXXX. Use this when receiving international wire transfers from overseas.

Is Bank of China Hong Kong the same as Bank of China mainland?

No. They are separate legal entities. Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited uses clearing code 012 and SWIFT code BKCHHKHHXXX. Bank of China (mainland) uses SWIFT code BKCHCNBJ and operates a different account system. Using the mainland SWIFT code for a Hong Kong account will result in a failed transfer.

Do I need a branch code for an international wire transfer?

In almost all cases, no. The head office SWIFT code BKCHHKHHXXX routes incoming transfers correctly regardless of which BOC HK branch holds your account. If a specific branch code is required, check your account documents or contact BOC HK directly.

What if my SWIFT transfer to BOC HK is delayed or missing?

If an inbound wire hasn't arrived within 3 business days, ask the sending bank to confirm they used BKCHHKHHXXX (not BKCHCNBJ) and the correct account number. Most delays trace back to an incorrect SWIFT code or a correspondent bank processing hold.