Know Your Customer (KYC) Information

Last updated: 7 July 2025

HAKO Global Trading Limited ("the Company") is required by Hong Kong law, including the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615), to verify the identity of our customers and understand the nature of their business with us.

This page explains why customer verification is required, what information we request, and how the process works.

1. Why Customer Verification Is Required

Customer verification, commonly known as Know Your Customer or KYC, serves three principal purposes:

1. Preventing money laundering and terrorist financing: verifying customer identity helps ensure our services are not used to launder proceeds of crime or finance terrorism;
2. Sanctions compliance: screening customers against published sanctions lists is a legal requirement under Hong Kong and international law;
3. Protecting customers: identity verification protects you from identity fraud and unauthorised transactions.

The Company cannot process orders or ship vehicles without completing KYC verification. This is a legal obligation, not a discretionary policy.

2. Individual Customer Requirements

Where the Customer is an individual (a private buyer), the following documentation is required:

2.1 Identity Verification

• A valid government-issued identity document showing your full name, date of birth, photograph, and document number. Acceptable documents include:

- National identity card;

- Passport (preferred for international transactions);

- Driving licence (where it includes a photograph).

The document must be valid at the time of submission and clearly legible.

2.2 Proof of Address

• A utility bill, bank statement, or government-issued document showing your full name and residential address, dated within the last three (3) months.

2.3 Contact Verification

• A working email address;
• A working phone number capable of receiving WhatsApp messages.

3. Corporate Customer Requirements

Where the Customer is a corporate entity (a business, dealership, or fleet buyer), the following documentation is required:

3.1 Business Registration Documents

• Certificate of incorporation or equivalent registration document from the jurisdiction of incorporation;
• Business registration certificate or equivalent current trading licence;
• Memorandum and Articles of Association, or equivalent constitutional documents.

3.2 Authorised Representatives

• A list of directors or equivalent officers;
• Identification of the authorised representative who will sign the purchase order, as per Section 2.1 above;
• A board resolution or power of attorney authorising the representative to act on behalf of the company.

3.3 Registered Office and Business Address

• Proof of the company's registered office and principal place of business, such as a utility bill or lease agreement dated within the last three (3) months.

4. Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO)

4.1 Definition

An Ultimate Beneficial Owner is any individual who ultimately owns or controls the customer entity, directly or indirectly, through ownership of twenty-five per cent (25%) or more of the shares or voting rights, or who otherwise exercises control over the entity.

4.2 UBO Documentation

For each UBO, the Company requires:

• Identity verification as per Section 2.1;
• A declaration of the ownership structure showing the chain of ownership down to the UBO;
• Where the ownership structure is complex, a certified organisational chart may be requested.

4.3 Nominee Arrangements

Where a UBO acts through nominees, trustees, or other intermediaries, full details of the arrangement must be disclosed. The Company does not accept customers who refuse to disclose their UBOs.

5. Source of Funds

Where the transaction value, risk profile, or other factors indicate elevated money laundering risk, the Company may request information regarding the source of funds used for the purchase. This may include:

• Bank statements showing the accumulation of funds;
• Sale proceeds documentation (e.g., sale of property or business);
• Business revenue documentation;
• Salary or employment income evidence.

The Company treats source-of-funds information as confidential and uses it solely for AML compliance purposes.

6. Identity Verification Process

6.1 Document Submission

Documents may be submitted via encrypted email to CONTACT@hakoautomobile.com or through a secure upload link provided by the Company. We do not accept documents via unsecured messaging applications.

6.2 Verification Method

The Company verifies documents by:

• Comparing the information provided against the identity document;
• Cross-checking business registration details with public registries where available;
• Screening the customer and UBOs against sanctions lists;
• Where required, using electronic identity verification services.

6.3 In-Person Verification

In exceptional cases, the Company may request an in-person or video call verification. This is typically reserved for high-risk transactions.

7. Data Protection

KYC documentation is treated as highly sensitive personal data. The Company:

• Stores documentation in encrypted, access-controlled systems;
• Limits access to authorised compliance and finance personnel only;
• Retains documentation for six (6) years after the end of the business relationship, as required by law;
• Does not share KYC documentation with third parties except where required by law or where the customer has provided written consent.

For full details, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

8. Processing Times

KYC verification is typically completed within two (2) to five (5) business days of receiving complete documentation. The Company will notify the Customer if additional information is required.

Verification may take longer in the following circumstances:

• The documentation submitted is incomplete or unclear;
• The customer is classified as high risk, requiring enhanced due diligence;
• The ownership structure is complex, requiring additional review;
• Sanctions screening returns a potential match requiring investigation.

The Company will not process an order or ship a vehicle until KYC verification is complete.

9. Ongoing Obligations

KYC verification is not a one-time event. The Company conducts periodic reviews of customer information and may request updated documentation at any time during the business relationship. Customers must notify the Company of any material change in their identity, ownership structure, or business activity.

10. Refusal or Termination

The Company reserves the right to refuse or terminate a business relationship where:

• KYC documentation cannot be satisfactorily verified;
• The customer appears on a sanctions list;
• There are reasonable grounds to suspect money laundering or other illicit activity;
• The customer refuses to provide requested information.

In such cases, any deposit received will be refunded in accordance with our Terms of Trade, less any reasonable costs already incurred and subject to any legal obligation to retain funds.

11. Contact

For questions regarding the KYC process, please contact us:

• Company: HAKO Global Trading Limited
• Email: CONTACT@hakoautomobile.com
• WhatsApp: +213 780 442 267