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Hong Kong has specific regulations regarding the amount of cash and goods that can be brought into the region. While there is no limit to the amount of cash a person can bring into Hong Kong, travellers are required to declare amounts exceeding 120,000 HKD when entering. In addition to currency restrictions, there are also rules regarding the import of certain goods, such as food and alcoholic beverages.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Amount requiring declaration | HKD 120,000 |
| Penalty for non-declaration | HKD 2,000 for first-time offenders; HKD 500,000 and imprisonment for two years for repeat offenders |
| Currency conversion | Not required; declare in the currency the CBNIs are denominated in |
| Transit passengers | No declaration required if not passing through immigration control |
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What You'll Learn
Declare HKD 120,000 or more
There is no limit to how much currency you can bring into Hong Kong. However, if you are entering Hong Kong and have more than HKD 120,000 in cash, you must declare it to a customs officer. This is in accordance with the Cross-boundary Movement of Physical Currency and Bearer Negotiable Instruments Ordinance, Chapter 629, Laws of Hong Kong.
If you are arriving at a specified control point, you must make a declaration using the Red Channel under the Red and Green Channel System. Specified control points include Hong Kong International Airport, Hung Hom Station, Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal, and several others. If you are arriving in Hong Kong other than at a specified control point, such as on a cruise ship, you are only required to declare CBNIs in your possession upon the request of a customs officer. If you are in transit at the Hong Kong International Airport and do not pass through immigration control, you are not required to make a declaration.
If you are leaving Hong Kong, you must disclose to a customs officer if you are in possession of more than HKD 120,000 in cash. If you do not make a declaration when required, you may be subject to criminal proceedings, with a maximum penalty of a HKD 500,000 fine and imprisonment for two years. However, if you have not previously been convicted of money laundering or terrorist financing offences, and your funds are not suspected to be related to criminal or terrorist activity, you may be able to discharge your legal liability by paying HKD 2,000.
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Alcohol: 1 litre, 30%+ ABV
Hong Kong has different rules and allowances for bringing in alcohol, depending on its alcohol content.
Alcohol with an ABV of 30% or more
For alcoholic beverages with an ABV of 30% or more, travellers are allowed to bring 1 litre of alcohol into Hong Kong duty-free. This allowance is only for personal use and travellers must be aged 18 or over. If you are bringing in more than 1 litre, you will need to declare it and pay duties.
Alcohol with an ABV of less than 30%
Alcohol with an ABV of less than 30% is not subject to the same restrictions. There is no limit to the amount of alcohol with an ABV of less than 30% that you can bring into Hong Kong, as long as it is for personal use.
General rules for bringing alcohol into Hong Kong
Alcoholic beverages must be in their original retail packaging and travellers must follow the rules for liquids, aerosols and gases if carrying alcohol in hand luggage. It is important to note that bringing large quantities of alcohol into Hong Kong may be subject to import duties and taxes. If you are bringing in more than 5 litres of alcohol, you may need to pay duties on the excess.
Declaring alcohol to Customs
When arriving in Hong Kong, passengers should use the Red Channel to declare any dutiable commodities or excessive dutiable goods to Customs officers. This includes declaring alcohol that exceeds the duty-free allowance. Passengers who fail to declare or make a false declaration regarding dutiable goods may be liable to prosecution.
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Tobacco products: duty-free allowance
Hong Kong is known for its duty-free policy on most goods, meaning there is no sales tax or VAT on general items. However, there are restrictions on certain goods, including tobacco products.
For visitors aged 18 or above, the duty-free tobacco allowance is 19 cigarettes. Bringing in more than the allowed amount requires you to declare it and pay duties. If you exceed the duty-free limit on tobacco, you must declare it at customs to avoid fines.
Passengers aged 18 or above holding a Hong Kong Identity Card must have spent 24 hours or longer outside Hong Kong to be allowed to bring in tobacco products duty-free. Cross-boundary drivers are not entitled to duty-free concessions.
There are no duty-free concessions for dutiable goods for trade, business, or commercial purposes. Passengers carrying such goods are required to declare them and may be liable to prosecution or payment of penalties if they fail to comply with the respective provisions of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance.
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Food for personal consumption
There is no limit to how much money you can bring into Hong Kong. However, you must declare amounts over HKD 120,000 when entering the country.
Regarding food for personal consumption, passengers carrying food items such as fruits, vegetables, fully-cooked meat, and seafood in their personal baggage in reasonable quantities are generally not subject to control. However, to ensure food safety and public health, import controls are imposed on certain foods, including fresh and frozen meat, poultry, game, eggs, milk, and milk beverages.
Rice, frozen or chilled meat, and poultry can be imported in personal baggage for personal consumption or as gifts, as long as the quantity does not exceed 15 kg. An official certificate is required for frozen or chilled meat and poultry, as defined in the Imported Game, Meat, Poultry, and Eggs Regulations, Cap. 132AK.
For diabetic passengers who need to bring their own dietary food in containers larger than 100ml, such as sugar-free juice, they are allowed to do so with valid medical evidence. The exempted item should be presented separately to security for X-ray inspection.
It is important to consult the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department in advance to avoid violating any regulations regarding the importation of food into Hong Kong.
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Credit cards and Octopus cards
Credit Cards
Public transport in Hong Kong generally accepts Visa and Mastercard. However, if your credit card has foreign transaction fees, you may prefer to use an Octopus card to avoid these charges.
European credit cards with a HKD account can also be used for public transport payments.
Octopus Cards
The Octopus card is a reusable contactless stored-value smart card for making electronic payments in Hong Kong. It can be used for transport and retail transactions and is widely accepted, including at 7-Eleven, Park n' Shop, and McDonald's. The card can be purchased at Hong Kong International Airport on arrival, with a pre-loaded credit of HKD 50-150. It can be reloaded through the Octopus app or at various locations throughout Hong Kong, including 7-Eleven, 759 Store, and McDonald's.
The card can be returned for a refund of the deposit and any remaining balance, after deducting a handling fee. The Tourist Octopus app is available for iPhones and Huawei phones, but not for other Android phones.
The Octopus card is extremely convenient for travelling in Hong Kong, as it saves you from having to carry a lot of coins or cash.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no limit, but you must declare amounts over 120,000 HKD when entering Hong Kong.
Yes, if you are bringing in more than 120,000 HKD, you must make a written declaration.
If you don't declare and are checked, the government can seize your money first and make it difficult to get it back.
It depends on your spending habits and the duration of your stay, but it is recommended to withdraw around 2000 HKD at the airport to get you around and fed for the first day or two.
Alcoholic liquor above 30% volume (1 litre max.) and tobacco products are allowed to be brought into Hong Kong duty-free for passengers aged 18 or above.
