Hong Kong香港

Travellers arriving in Hong Kong may bring 1 L of alcohol duty-free. Anything above the allowance must be declared at the red channel. Hong Kong has very limited duty-free allowances. Tobacco: 19 cigarettes (approximately one pack), 1 cigar, or 25g of other tobacco per person. Alcohol: 1L of wine or spirits for personal use if arriving from outside Hong Kong. There is no general duty-free goods allowance for arriving passengers — Hong Kong has no sales tax or VAT, so the concept of a general duty-free personal goods threshold does not apply. Duties are only levied on a few specific categories.

19 cigarettes per traveller (or proportionally less in cigars / tobacco). Above-limit tobacco must be declared.

Yes. Cash and equivalent bearer instruments above USD 15700 (HKD) must be declared on arrival.

HKD 0 (effectively zero — most goods enter duty-free). Hong Kong is a free port with no general customs tariff on the vast majority of goods. Duties apply only to four categories of dutiable goods: liquor, tobacco, methyl alcohol, and hydrocarbon oil. There is therefore no meaningful de minimis threshold in the way that exists in countries with broad tariff schedules. The absence of a general tariff makes Hong Kong one of the world's most open import regimes for most goods.

Hong Kong sets its own indirect tax rules; check Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department.

Prescription medicines for personal use are generally allowed in reasonable quantities (typically 30-90 days' supply), accompanied by the original prescription and ideally a doctor's letter. Some controlled substances need import authorisation. Verify with Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department for your specific medicine.

Gifts are accepted by post but are still subject to Hong Kong's import rules. Tax-relief gift thresholds (where they exist) are typically much lower than commercial thresholds. Declare honestly on the CN22/CN23 — undervaluation is treated as fraud.

A customs declaration filed with Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department, a commercial invoice, packing list, and transport document (AWB or B/L). Add a Certificate of Origin to claim FTA preferential duty. Sector-specific imports (food, plants, animals, medicines, electronics, dangerous goods) need additional permits.

The green channel is for travellers with nothing to declare. The red channel is for travellers carrying anything above allowances or any restricted goods. Spot checks happen at both. Lying or hiding goods can lead to seizure plus penalties.

Controlled dangerous drugs (heroin, cocaine, cannabis, etc.); Obscene publications and articles; Seditious publications (under the National Security Law). See the full prohibited list on this page.

Controlled drugs and psychotropic substances (Dangerous Drugs Ordinance — prescription required); Firearms and ammunition (Firearms and Ammunition Ordinance — police licence required); Certain food products (Food and Environmental Hygiene Department import licence may be required). Restricted items typically need a permit, certificate, or declaration. See the full restricted list on this page.

Use the red channel at the airport. Most ports of entry into Hong Kong accept either a paper declaration or, increasingly, an electronic declaration via an app or kiosk. Be ready to show receipts, prescriptions, or permits.

Most countries restrict animal-origin food (meat, dairy) for biosecurity reasons; sealed commercial packaged food is sometimes permitted. Verify with Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department's agricultural / biosecurity authority before bringing food.

Vape rules are changing fast worldwide; Hong Kong may have specific restrictions, age limits, or outright bans. Verify on the current Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department guidance before travel — bans have grown markedly since 2023.

Many countries require advance import authorisation for opioids, stimulants, and certain psychiatric medicines. Carry the original prescription, doctor's letter, and original packaging. For controlled substances, contact Hong Kong's health authority before travel.

Yes. Duty-free purchases at the destination airport on arrival count toward your alcohol and tobacco allowance, even though they were purchased after immigration. Buying duty-free at departure rather than arrival does not bypass the allowance.

Above the de minimis, customs assesses duty and VAT/GST on the goods value (plus, in some regimes, freight + insurance). The carrier or postal operator usually clears it and bills the recipient. Recipients can refuse delivery if they don't want to pay.

Yes. If you don't want to pay duties or taxes, you can refuse the parcel and the carrier will return it to sender or destroy it. This does not affect your tax record but means the goods don't enter Hong Kong.

Standard clearance for compliant parcels is typically same-day to a few days. Holds for incomplete declarations, biosecurity inspection, sanctions screening, or anti-counterfeit checks can take longer. Provide complete declarations to avoid delays.

Your carrier (DHL, FedEx, UPS, postal operator) is the first contact — they handle clearance on your behalf. If you need to deal directly with the authority, contact Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department via the contact route on their official site.

Watch for: fake "customs fees" demands by SMS or email; impostor officials at airports; unsolicited phone calls about a "stuck parcel"; payment requests by gift card. Real customs authorities do not ask for payment via SMS link or gift cards. See our scams page for documented patterns.