Customs regulations for your trip to Hong Kong

Customs regulations

Import regulations:

Free import: for personal use only, for passengers of 18 years or older (holders of Hong Kong Identity Card must have spent 24 hours or longer outside Hong Kong):
– 19 cigarettes or 1 cigar (or 25 grams of cigars) or 25 grams of other manufactured tobacco;
– no limit for wine and liquor below 30% vol;
– 1 liter of alcoholic liquor above 30% vol;
Passengers in direct transit via Hong Kong: no limitation on the amount of dutiable goods.

Prohibited without license:

• narcotics, drugs, game, meat, poultry, fireworks, explosives, counterfeit items, copyright infringed goods, plants or parts thereof;
• antibiotic drugs except with doctor’s prescription and in quantity reasonable for personal use.

Arms and Ammunition regulations:

If entering Hong Kong:

All arms and ammunition (incl. imitation and replica) require an import license or permit obtained prior to arrival.
Prohibited: all lethal weapons and stunning devices.

If transiting Hong Kong:

A proof of legal carriage of arms and ammunition is required (e.g. import permit for destination country, license, invitation letter, export permit).
Prohibited: stunning devices.

Wild Fauna and Flora:

License is required for endangered fauna species, alive, stuffed and parts thereof.
For more information, see the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, http://www.afcd.gov.hk/

Additional Information on regulations:

Animal products must be transported as manifested cargo and a permit issued by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department must be obtained before departure.

Export regulations:

Free export of reasonable quantities of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages.

Prohibited without license:

• narcotics, drugs, game, meat, poultry, fireworks, explosives, counterfeit items, copyright infringed goods, plants or parts thereof;
• endangered fauna species, alive, stuffed and parts thereof;
• endangered plants, excluding cultivated species;
• antibiotic drugs except with doctor’s prescription and in quantity reasonable for personal use;
• powdered formula, including milk powder and soya milk powder, for infants under 36 months.

Exemption: powdered formula as part of personal baggage of a passenger over 15 years of age, if:

• passenger did not leave Hong Kong in the last 24 hours; and
• the formula does not exceed 1.8 kilograms;

or if:

• passenger left Hong Kong one or more times in the last 24 hours; and
• is leaving Hong Kong together with an infant under 36 months; and
• the formula is in an unsealed container; and
• does not exceed the necessary quantity for the child’s consumption during the traveling time.

Crew members customs regulations:

The same regulations as for passengers apply.

Pets:

Import permit and quarantine permit (where applicable) obtained prior to travel is required for all pets. Dogs and cats also require a Certificate of Health for the animal signed by an official Government Veterinarian of the country of origin, dated not more than 14 days before the date of departure.
Pets must be shipped as cargo covered by an airway bill.

Disability Assistance Dogs (DAD) or Service Guide Dogs are permitted to travel in the cabin as manifested cargo only and are exempt from quarantine.
Prior written approval issued by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, in addition to a Special Permit and other relevant animal health documents are required.

For Applications for permits and for more information, contact the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, http://www.afcd.gov.hk/

Quarantine: Cats and dogs will be kept in quarantine for max. 6 months. However, quarantine period may be reduced depending on country of origin and if holding:

• a Certificate signed by the competent authority of the exporting country stating that the animal has been in a rabies free area/place of the country of origin during the preceding six months; and
• a Certificate of Health signed by an official veterinary officer of the country of origin which includes a comprehensive vaccination record; and
• a Certificate from the Captain of the conveying vessel or aircraft that the animal was not in contact with any other animal at any time enroute;

Quarantine period:

• no quarantine: if coming direct from: Australia, Chinese Taipei, Fiji, Hawaii, Ireland (Rep.), Japan, New Zealand and United Kingdom;
• quarantine may be exempt: if the dogs and cats are over 5 months of age on arrival and have complied with all the permit terms and if coming direct from: Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Belgium, Bermuda, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Cayman Isl., Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Guam, Iceland, Italy, Jamaica, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Netherlands, New Caledonia, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Portugal, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Isl., South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, USA (continental), Vanuatu, or Virgin Isl.;
• 4 months: if coming direct from all other countries other than those listed in i, ii. The animal must be covered by a valid quarantine permit issued before arrival;

Warning: Airlines may be required to re-export any animal imported without an import permit. A permit is not required in case of direct transit by same aircraft, and animals, including birds can be transported as baggage. In case transhipment is involved (i.e. change of aircraft in Hong Kong) a transit permit is required, and the animal must be sent as manifested cargo. If pets belong to the endangered species they must be accompanied by a license, permit, certificate or other acceptable document for export, issued by the relevant authority of exporting country. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department must be notified at least 3 working days prior to arrival of the animal in Hong Kong.

Baggage Clearance regulations:

Baggage is cleared at Hong Kong International Airport.

Exempt: baggage of transit passengers can be labelled to the final destination if the onward flight is within 24 hours.

Currency

Currency Import regulations:

No restrictions on local currency (Hong Kong Dollar-HKD) or foreign currencies.

Currency Export regulations:

No restrictions on local currency (Hong Kong Dollar-HKD) or foreign currencies.

Airport Tax

No airport tax is levied on passengers upon embarkation.

Learn all about regulations for your destination country. From airport tax to be paid on departure, to importing pets, as well as rules on how much currency you may bring into and out of a country.