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Hong Kong - Forbidden Items

It is illegal to bring drugs or firearms of any sort (even display or antique ones) into Hong Kong, but the list doesn't stop there, so please keep reading. Paguro tells all!

Prohibited Restricted Goods

Prohibited articles are prohibited or controlled under the Import and Export Ordinace or any other laws of Hong Kong.  These items must have an import license, permit, or certificate issued in advance before they can be imported to Hong Kong.

Smokeless tobacco products are prohibited. Importation of halons, CFCs, carbon tetrachloride, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, and HBFC's for local consumption are banned.

A permit, license, or certificate is required to import the following items:

Dangerous drugs--such as stimulants, hypnotics, tranquilizers, and sedatives.

Pharmaceutical products and medicine
For license information contact the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. Applications, supported with valid documents such as export permit from the exporting country and invoice, should be made in specified form and submitted to the:

  • Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department at 5/F
    Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices
    303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon
    Hong Kong
    China SAR
  • Pharmaceuticals Registration and ImportExport Control Section of the Department of Health at 18/F
    Wu Chung House
    213 Queen's Road East, Wanchai
    Hong Kong
    China SAR
    Tel: + 852 2961 8780
    Facsimile : + 852 2834 5117

Controlled chemicals
Enquiries and applications for licence, authorization and removal permit can be made to the:

  • Controlled Chemicals Group of the Customs and Excise Department
    Room 631
    6/F, North Point Government Offices
    333 Java Road, North Point
    Hong Kong
    China SAR
    Tel: + 852 2541 4383
    Facsimile: + 852 2541 1016
    Email: [email protected]

Endangered species
To import or possess any endangered species:

Tel: + 852 2150 6999
Facsimile : + 852 2376 3749

Live animals
Enquiries can be made to the:

  • Licensing Unit of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department 
    5/F Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices
    303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon
    Hong Kong
    China SAR
    Tel: + 852 2150 7057
    Facsimile : + 852 2375 3563
    website: www.info.gov.hk/afd

Plants and plant pests, Pesticides 
Enquiries can be made to the:

  • Plant & Pesticides Regulatory Division of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department 
    5/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices
    303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon
    Hong Kong.
    Tel: + 852 2150 7007
    Facsimile: + 852 2314 2622

Radioactive substances
Enquiries relating to import licence applications can be made to:

  • Trade Licensing Branch Non-textiles Licensing Section of the Trade and Industry Department
    Room 408, 4/F
    Trade and Industry Department Tower
    700 Nathan Road, Kowloon
    Hong Kong
    Telephone : + 852 2398 5559-60
    Facsimile : + 852 2398 3747

Explosives, firearms, ammunition
Enquiries can be made to:

  • Strategic Commodities Section of the Trade and Industry Department 
    Room 516B, 5/F
    Trade and Industry Department Tower
    700 Nathan Road, Kowloon
    Hong Kong
    China SAR
    Tel: + 852 2398 5575 (for licensing advice)/+ 852 2398 5584-6 (for technical assessment)
    Facsimile: + 852 2396 3070
  • Weapons-Licensing Office of the Hong Kong Police Force
    20/F Wanchai Central Building
    89 Lockhart Road, Wanchai
    Hong Kong
    China SAR
    Tel: + 852 2398 5575 (for licensing advice)/+ 852 2398 5584-6 (for technical assessment)
    Facsimile: + 852 2396 3070

Textiles--excluding for personal use.
Enquiries regarding textile import licensing can be made to:

  • Non-Restrained Textiles Section, Trade and Industry Department
    1/F Trade and Industry Department Tower
    700 Nathan Road, Kowloon
    Hong Kong
    China SAR
    Telephone : + 852 2398 5464

 Enquiries regarding the Textiles Trader Registration Scheme can be made to:

  • Textiles Trader Registration Office of the Trade and Industry Department
    12/F, Trade and Industry Department Tower
    700 Nathan Road, Kowloon
    Hong Kong
    China SAR
    Telephone : + 852 2398 5472
    Facsimile : + 852 2380

Rough diamonds
Enquiries regarding Kimberley Certificate (Import) and Rough Diamond Traders Registration can be made to:

  • Non-Restrained Textiles Section, Trade and Industry Department
    12/F, Trade and Industry Department Tower
    700 Nathan Road, Kowloon
    Hong Kong
    China SAR
    Tel: + 852 2398 5557
    Facsimile: + 852 2380 8504

Rice, frozen or chilled meat, poultry
Licensing enquiries for rice can be made to:

  • Rice Control Unit of the Trade and Industry Department
    12/F, Trade and Industry Department Tower
    700 Nathan Road, Kowloon
    Hong Kong
    China SAR
    Tel: + 852 2398 5570
    Facsimile: + 852 2380 8504

Importers of frozen meat, chilled meat, frozen poultry or chilled poultry should apply for the import licence from the

  • Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
    43/F, Queensway Government Offices
    66 Queensway
    Hong Kong
    China SAR
    Tel: + 852 2867 5582
    Facsimile: + 852 2893 3547

Game meat and poultry
Enquiries relating to importation of game, meat and poultry can be made to:

  • Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
    43/F, Queensway Government Offices
    66 Queensway
    Hong Kong
    China SAR
    Tel: + 852 2867 5582
    Facsimile: + 852 2893 3547

Ozone depleting substances
Enquiries regarding the application for import or export licences under the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance (Cap. 403, Laws of Hong Kong) can be made to:

  • Trade Licensing Branch Non-textiles Licensing Section of the Trade and Industry Department
    Room 408, 4/F, Trade and Industry Department Tower
    700 Nathan Road, Kowloon
    Hong Kong
    China SAR
    Tel: + 852 2398 5559/+ 8522398 5592
    Facsimile: + 852 2398 3747

Radio transmitting apparatus
Licensing enquiries should be directed to:

  • Inspection and Licensing
    Subsection of the Office of the Telecommunications Authority at 29/F
    WuChung House
    213 Queen's Road East, Wanchai
    Hong Kong
    China SAR
    Tel: + 852 2961 6772
    Facsimile: + 852 2803 5110

Left hand drive vehicles and outboard motors
Enquiries relating to licence applications may be made to:

  • Office of Dutiable Commodities Administration of the Customs and Excise Department
    10/F, Canton Road Government Offices
    393 Canton Road, Kowloon
    Hong Kong
    China SAR
    Tel: + 852 2723 3196
    Facsimile: + 852 2377 1875.

Other prohibited goods
Enquiries on import of other goods that are subject to import and export
control can be made to the Customs and Excise Department Enquiry Hotline at + 852 2815 7711.

Go to the government website
www.info.gov.hk/customs/eng/major/import/prohibited/import_e.html
for more information.