Beijing had not interfered with Tung Chee-hwa's consideration of whether to return a troop carrier confiscated from a China-funded enterprise, an official said.
Secretary for Trade and Industry Chau Tak-hay said Mr Tung was still considering an appeal by China North Industries (Norinco) filed in November.
'The Chief Executive has not consulted, and does not intend to consult, the Central People's Government and has not received its instructions in relation to the petition,' Mr Chau said.
The South China Morning Post revealed that weapons producer Norinco had lodged a petition in February with Mr Tung seeking the $5.7 million vehicle's return.
The move followed the seizure of an armoured vehicle and its accessories a month after the handover. The vehicle was not licensed to be in the SAR on its way from Thailand to the mainland.
Mr Chau said the claim would be considered in light of controls on the trade of strategic commodities, and anti-smuggling regulations.