Preparing for eMPF Registration: Why Appointing an Authorised Partner Matters

Hong Kong’s Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) system managed and overseen by the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA), is undergoing a digital transformation with the phased rollout of the eMPF Platform —a centralised infrastructure designed to simplify MPF administration, reduce costs, and improve user experience for employers and employees.

While the platform promises long-term efficiencies, the onboarding process presents immediate governance, risk and compliance (GRC) challenges, particularly around the appointment of a Company Authorised Person (CAP)—a term officially used in the eMPF Registration & Activation Guide.

HKID Requirement for CAP

To register on the eMPF Platform, the CAP must hold a Hong Kong Identity Card (HKID). This individual will be responsible for accessing sensitive employee data and managing user permissions across the platform. The eMPF system does not support passport-only registration, and identity verification must be completed via either:

Scanning the HKID using the eMPF Mobile App
Using the “iAM Smart” mobile application for digital authentication

Outsourcing as a Strategic Solution

Employers without a suitable HKID-holder on staff—or those concerned about internal data access—face a compliance dilemma. Failure to register within two months of the assigned staging date may result in reverting to manual MPF submissions.

To mitigate risk and ensure timely compliance, many employers are opting to outsource the registration process to a trusted third-party provider. This approach satisfies the HKID requirement, safeguards employee data by limiting internal access and streamlines the process to reduce internal administrative burden.

Once appointed as your authorised person, Marbury offers a seamless eMPF onboarding experience. Our payroll specialists manage the entire EMPF registration process—from document preparation to platform activation—ensuring your business remains compliant without compromising internal data security.

Marbury’s Payroll & MPF Services Include:

eMPF registration and CAP appointment
Monthly MPF contribution processing
Remittance statements and statutory reporting
Payroll calculations, payslip delivery, and employee self-service access
Ongoing GRC support and advisory

Trustee Onboarding Timeline

The eMPF rollout is staggered across MPF trustees, with onboarding dates ranging from June 2024 to December 2025. Employers must act promptly based on their assigned staging date to avoid administrative delays.

You can find the latest onboarding schedule on the MPFA’s eMPF Platform Overview and the official eMPF website.

Marbury is committed to helping businesses navigate Hong Kong’s evolving payroll landscape. If your organisation requires support with eMPF registration or broader payroll outsourcing, please contact your usual Marbury relationship manager or reach us at info@marburys.com.

Are Manual Submissions Still Viable?

Yes, but only temporarily and under limited circumstances:

Employers whose MPF trustees haven’t yet onboarded to the eMPF Platform may still submit contributions manually (e.g. by cheque, fax, or email).
Once a trustee transitions to the eMPF Platform, all administration must be done digitally via the platform. Manual submissions will no longer be accepted by trustees for schemes onboarded to eMPF.

Downsides of Manual MPF Submissions

Manual submissions come with several drawbacks:

Higher Risk of Errors: Paper forms and manual data entry increase the likelihood of mistakes in contribution amounts or employee details.
Delayed Processing: Manual submissions typically take 2–3 weeks to process, compared to 1 week or less via eMPF.
Compliance Risk: Late or incorrect submissions can result in penalties under the MPF Schemes Ordinance.
No Centralised Access: Employers must manage separate systems for each trustee, with no unified dashboard or reporting tools.
Limited Support: Trustees may phase out support for manual channels, making troubleshooting more difficult.

Strategic Consideration

While manual submission may seem like a stopgap for employers without an HKID-holder, it’s not a sustainable long-term solution. Once a trustee is onboarded to eMPF, employers must register digitally—and that requires a Company Authorised Person (CAP) with a valid HKID.

Outsourcing to a payroll provider like Marbury, who can act as your CAP, ensures compliance and continuity without the administrative burden.