HKIAC Fee Calculator

Estimate the likely HKIAC registration, administrative, and tribunal fee components for a Hong Kong-seated arbitration. Updated for the 2026 fee changes.

Independent estimate based on the HKIAC Schedule of Fees effective 1 January 2026. Not affiliated with HKIAC.

$
$500,000 USD
Number of Arbitrators
Estimated HKIAC Cost
Fee schedule verified: 2026-03

Estimated total institutional and tribunal fees, in USD and HKD

Total (USD)
$40,588
Total (HKD)
HK$317,400
Fee Component USD HKD
Registration Fee $1,279 HK$10,000
Administrative Fee $9,591 HK$75,000
Tribunal Fee $29,719 HK$232,400
Estimated Total $40,588 HK$317,400
Example HKIAC Estimates (2026 Schedule)
Sole arbitrator. Tribunal fee estimated by HKIAC Schedule 3 (sum in dispute method).
Dispute Amount Registration Administrative Tribunal Total
$100K USD $1,279 $3,951 $10,511 $15,742
$500K USD $1,279 $9,591 $29,719 $40,588
$1M USD $1,279 $12,404 $46,113 $59,795
$5M USD $1,279 $25,575 $106,803 $133,657
What this calculator does NOT include
  • Legal fees and party counsel costs
  • Expert and witness fees
  • Hearing room, transcription, and translation costs
  • Enforcement or set-aside proceedings
  • Security for costs and interim measures costs

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Understanding HKIAC Arbitration Costs

What the HKIAC fee calculator includes

This calculator estimates the three institutional fee components HKIAC charges directly: the registration fee paid at filing, the administrative fee for case management, and the tribunal fee paid to the arbitrators. It uses the HKIAC Schedule of Fees that took effect on 1 January 2026. It does not estimate legal fees, expert fees, hearing-venue costs, or enforcement costs.

HKIAC registration fee and administrative fee

The 2026 registration fee is HKD 10,000, paid when a Notice of Arbitration is filed. The administrative fee is a fixed amount that depends on the sum in dispute, ranging from HKD 15,000 for disputes up to HKD 400,000 to HKD 440,000 for disputes over HKD 400 million. These fees go to HKIAC and are separate from the tribunal's fees.

Tribunal fees: hourly rate vs sum in dispute

HKIAC offers two tribunal fee methods. Under Schedule 2 the arbitrator is paid by hourly rate, capped at HKD 7,500 per hour from 1 January 2026. Under Schedule 3 the arbitrator's fee is computed on an ad valorem basis from the sum in dispute, similar to ICC and CIETAC. The parties may agree on which method applies; otherwise the default depends on the procedure. This calculator currently uses the Schedule 3 (sum in dispute) method for predictability.

What changed in HKIAC fees in 2026

Three notable changes took effect on 1 January 2026. First, the registration fee rose from HKD 8,000 to HKD 10,000. Second, the arbitrator hourly rate cap rose from HKD 6,500 to HKD 7,500. Third, the expedited procedure monetary threshold doubled from HKD 25 million to HKD 50 million, meaning more mid-value disputes are now eligible for HKIAC's faster, lower-cost expedited procedure. The administrative fee schedule was also adjusted with a lower floor and a slightly higher cap.

When HKIAC may be worth the cost for China-related disputes

HKIAC's most distinctive feature for China-related disputes is the Hong Kong–Mainland arrangement on interim measures. Parties to a qualifying HKIAC arbitration can apply directly to a Mainland court for property preservation, evidence preservation, or conduct preservation. No other foreign-seated institution offers this. For disputes where preserving assets or evidence in the Mainland matters, HKIAC's fees often pay back several times over.

HKIAC vs CIETAC, SIAC, and ICC

CIETAC is typically the cheapest seat for purely China-domestic disputes and offers strong enforcement inside the Mainland. SIAC is competitive on cost for Asia-Pacific commercial cases and a common neutral seat. ICC is the most expensive but the most internationally recognized brand. HKIAC sits between SIAC and ICC on cost, with the unique advantage of Mainland interim measures access. Use the multi-institution comparator to see numerical differences for your case size.

What this calculator does not estimate

The estimate covers institutional and tribunal fees only. It does not include legal fees, expert witness fees, hearing room rental, transcription, translation, document production review, enforcement proceedings in any jurisdiction, costs of security for costs applications, or interim measures application fees. For a full case-cost estimate, use the Dispute Cost Calculator or speak with counsel.

HKIAC Fee Calculator FAQ

How are HKIAC arbitration fees calculated?
HKIAC charges a fixed registration fee, an administrative fee based on the sum in dispute, and tribunal fees calculated either by hourly rate (Schedule 2) or by sum in dispute (Schedule 3). This calculator uses the sum-in-dispute method.
What is the HKIAC registration fee in 2026?
The registration fee is HKD 10,000 for arbitrations commenced on or after 1 January 2026, up from HKD 8,000 under the previous schedule.
Are HKIAC arbitrator fees charged hourly?
They can be. HKIAC arbitrators may be paid by hourly rate under Schedule 2, capped at HKD 7,500 per hour from 2026, or by sum in dispute under Schedule 3. The parties may agree on the method.
Does this calculator include legal fees?
No. The estimate covers HKIAC institutional fees and tribunal fees only. Legal fees, expert fees, and venue costs are separate.
Is HKIAC cheaper than CIETAC or SIAC?
For most case sizes, CIETAC is the cheapest, followed by SIAC and HKIAC at broadly similar levels, with ICC the most expensive. Use the Arbitration Cost Comparator to see the difference for your dispute amount.
When should a China-related dispute use HKIAC?
HKIAC is usually the preferred neutral seat when the dispute involves Mainland assets or evidence that may need preserving, because of the Hong Kong–Mainland interim measures arrangement.
Can HKIAC arbitration support Mainland China interim measures?
Yes. Parties to qualifying HKIAC arbitrations can apply to Mainland courts for preservation of property, evidence, or conduct under the 2019 Arrangement, a feature unique among non-Mainland arbitral seats.

Estimates are based on the HKIAC Schedule of Fees effective 1 January 2026 and approximate exchange rates. Actual advances on costs and final costs may vary. This tool does not constitute legal advice and is not affiliated with HKIAC.

HKIAC Schedule of Fees (Effective Jan 1, 2026)