CUSTOMS

IMPORT REGULATIONS

Pets

Dogs and Cats

• Dogs and cats should not be brought into Hong Kong unless a special permit to do is obtained in advance from the Hong Kong Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation.
• Hong Kong has different rules for health certificates, rabies vaccination status and quarantining for different countries, split between Four different groups. Check the department's website to find out which group your country is in and what the import requirements are.
• There is a ban on importing certain attack dogs into Hong Kong. These are the following breeds: American Staffordshire terrier (Pitbull), Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and the Fila Braziliero. This includes any dog of their crossbreeds.
• Bengal cats must not be imported unless documentation certifying that the cat is of 5th or above 5th generation.
• There is a separate policy for importing Disability Assistance Dogs (DAD). The policy exempts them from quarantining at the Animal Management Centre and the requirement of 6 month residency on the basis of one blood test for rabies antibodies.

Birds

• Birds should not be brought into Hong Kong unless a special permit to so is obtained in advance.
• An animal trader licence must also be obtained in advance if the pet birds are imported for commercial marketing. You can find information about this licence here.
• The bird must be accompanied by a valid health certificate issued an official veterinarian from the country of origin. The certificate must include that the bird was examined not more than five days prior to departure, and have shown no signs of infectious/contagious diseases.
• The bird must have been kept in a Government-approved quarantine facility at least 28 days prior to departure. During quarantine, the bird should be tested for H5 and H7 avian influenza (bird flu) within 14 days prior to departure with negative results.
• The bird will be directed to the Airport Animal Hostel on arrival for custody and sample taking. The sample will be tested for bird flu. The bird can be released provided that the test result has been passed and the hostel fee has been paid.
• If there is an outbreak of bird flu in certain countries, temporary suspension will be imposed on the import of birds. Please click here to see which countries have been included until further notice.
  

For further information, please visit the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.

Free to Import

Tobacco (restricted to travellers 18 years and over)

One of the following:

• 19 cigarettes;
• 1 cigar or 25 grams of cigars; or
• 25 grams of tobacco.

Alcohol (restricted to travellers 18 years and over)

• 1 litre of alcoholic beverage with above 30% alcoholic volume;
• Any amount below 30% volume.
• Travellers with a Hong Kong Identity Card must have spent 24 hours or longer outside Hong Kong to be eligible for the above concession.

Currency

• Funds of HKD120,000 (or its foreign equivalent) or more must be declared to the Customs Office.

Other goods

• Chinese herbal medicines in a reasonable quantity for personal use.
• Rice, frozen or chilled meat and poultry for personal consumption or gifts in amounts not exceeding 15kg.

Prohibited

The following are goods which cannot be brought into the country.

• Drugs and psychotropic substances.
• Smokeless tobacco products.
• Weapons such as throwing darts, knuckle-dusters, gravity knives, and gravity operated steel batons.
• Counterfeit items and items infringing copyright.

Restricted

These goods are strictly regulated, and in most cases require a permit to be obtained prior to arrival.

• Dangerous drugs require an import licence from the Department of Health, and a valid export authorisation from the exporting country.
• Various categories of explosives require permits from different Departments. For further information, please visit Customs and Excise Department Explosives.
• Firearms and ammunition require a licence issued by the Hong Kong Police Force.
• Certain foods are subject to different restrictions, depending on the food type. For further information, please visit Customs and Excise Department Food.
• Infectious goods such as human remains, pests, and germs of disease require a permit from the Department of Health.
• Optical disc mastering and replication equipment require a licence from the Customs and Excise Department.
• Ozone depleting substances require permits from different departments, depending on the chemicals involved. For further information, please visit the Customs and Excise Department Ozone Depleting Substances.
• Pesticides require a import licence from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
• Radio transmitting equipment requires an Import Permit from the Telecommunications Authority.
• Rough diamonds.

EXPORT REGULATIONS

Free to Export

• Funds of HKD120,000 (or its foreign equivalent) or more must be declared to the Customs Office.

Prohibited

The following are goods which cannot be taken out of the country.

• All items in the prohibited to import list.

Restricted

These goods are strictly regulated, and in most cases require a permit to be obtained prior to departure.

• Sand requires a permit to be exported from Hong Kong.

For further information, please visit the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department.