Hong Kong Customs Prohibited Items: Rules for Food, Tech, and More

Want to safely import goods or bring items into Hong Kong? This guide breaks down Hong Kong’s import restrictions and customs clearance essentials in a clear and comprehensive way, covering food and agricultural products, pharmaceuticals and health supplements, electronics and lithium batteries, tobacco and alcohol, precious metals, and passenger luggage liquid regulations.

Key Facts about HK Import Restrictions

Hong Kong’s import restrictions aim to safeguard public safety, prevent dangerous goods from entering, protect intellectual property, and regulate the import and export of specific items. Commonly prohibited or controlled items include dangerous drugs, psychotropic substances, firearms, fireworks, game meat, meat, poultry, eggs, and plants.

Violating these restrictions by importing controlled items may lead to confiscation, prosecution, hefty fines, or even imprisonment. Businesses must accurately declare shipment contents, including product descriptions, HS Codes, and recipient details. Referencing DHL Express’s guidelines on prohibited and controlled items can help avoid customs delays and legal liabilities.

Regulations on Medicines and Health Supplements

Hong Kong imposes stringent controls on importing medicines and health supplements to protect public health. Bringing controlled drugs into or out of Hong Kong requires a permit from the Department of Health. Personal-use medications are exempt but must have Chinese labels and, ideally, a doctor’s prescription for verification, especially for antibiotics and psychotropic drugs, which require permits and formal prescriptions. For air travelers, liquid medications like eye drops or cough syrups must be under 100ml and placed in transparent plastic bags.

Commercial importation of non-personal-use medicines faces stricter regulations. Governed by the Import and Export Ordinance, these require a permit issued by the Department of Health, authorized by the Director-General of Trade and Industry, and must be registered for sale in Hong Kong. DHL only accepts shipments from registered WMX Medical Express clients, ensuring compliance with stringent temperature and safety standards during transport.

Controls on Electronics and Special Items

Restrictions on Electronics

Import restrictions on electronics primarily stem from lithium batteries, which are highly flammable and pose risks of smoke or fire if damaged or defective. Under International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations, lithium batteries are classified as dangerous goods, requiring strict adherence to packaging, labeling, and transport rules. Electronic devices with built-in lithium batteries are prohibited from checked luggage and must be carried in hand luggage.

DHL only permits pre-approved accounts to ship lithium batteries, and not all types are accepted. Suspected or known defective batteries (e.g., swollen, corroded, or leaking) are prohibited. During customs clearance, lithium batteries must be individually packaged with capacity and origin clearly labeled. Refer to DHL’s lithium battery shipping guidelines for details.

Set-top boxes are also banned due to potential intellectual property issues. Devices with unauthorized software or copyright-infringing content are prohibited, with violators facing fines and penalties.

Shipping Special Items

DHL accepts non-controlled knives (e.g., kitchen knives, carving tools) for shipping, provided they meet specific regulations and are securely packaged. Other special items, such as medical equipment or scientific instruments, have corresponding transport requirements. These items require specific packaging, labeling, or documentation to ensure safety and compliance with destination regulations. Improper declarations or inadequate packaging may lead to delays, shipment refusal, or legal consequences.

How DHL Express Simplifies Imports for Businesses

DHL Express leverages its global express and freight forwarding network to assist businesses in importing goods directly to Hong Kong from key supply countries, supporting both import and export operations and cross-regional transfers. Whether importing electronics from Japan, luxury goods from Europe, or food from Southeast Asia, DHL provides reliable transport solutions.

Familiar with Hong Kong’s import regulations and product classifications, DHL’s professional team assists clients with pre-shipment document reviews, customs inspections, and product code classifications, minimizing delays and penalty risks. This is particularly beneficial for sensitive goods like food or electronics, ensuring compliance with strict regulatory and safety standards. Businesses can open dedicated DHL business accounts to access shipping discounts. Through the MyDHL+ platform, clients can track customs clearance and delivery progress in real-time, reducing customer service and communication costs while enhancing operational efficiency.