Hong Kong

Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking dangerous drugs in Hong Kong are severe; do not consume drugs in Hong Kong or before arriving.

Life imprisonment and/or heavy fine for trafficking.

Verified Jul 23, 2026

Cannabis is completely illegal in Hong Kong -- possession or consumption carries up to 7 years imprisonment and a HK$1 million fine, and bringing any in counts as trafficking, which carries up to life imprisonment and a HK$5 million fine. The Hong Kong Police Force states that trafficking includes giving away any amount, so passing some to a friend sits in the life-imprisonment tier, and growing a single cannabis plant carries up to 15 years. CBD has also been a dangerous drug since 1 February 2023, so CBD oils, gummies, skincare, drinks, supplements and even CBD pet products are treated exactly like other controlled drugs -- one arriving traveller was jailed for two months over two bottles of CBD personal-care product. This applies even if you bought it legally elsewhere, and even if you are only transiting through Hong Kong airport.

Possession of a dangerous drug, or smoking, inhaling, ingesting or injecting one: a fine of HK$1,000,000 and 7 years imprisonment. Trafficking, which the Hong Kong Police Force states includes selling or giving away any amount, and manufacture: a fine of HK$5,000,000 and imprisonment for life. Cultivating any plant of the genus cannabis: a fine of HK$100,000 and 15 years imprisonment. Possessing any pipe, equipment or apparatus fit and intended for the smoking, inhalation, ingestion or injection of a dangerous drug: a fine of HK$10,000 and 3 years imprisonment (Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, Cap. 134). Where an adult is found to have exploited a minor to procure, supply or traffic a dangerous drug, the police seek enhanced sentencing under section 56A. The same penalties apply to CBD products, which have been dangerous drugs since 1 February 2023.

Verified Sep 1, 2026

CBD is a dangerous drug in Hong Kong: it was listed under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance on 1 February 2023, so a CBD oil, gummy, vape or skincare product sold openly at home is contraband here. The Narcotics Division warns that pure CBD is hard to isolate, that most CBD products therefore contain trace THC, and that CBD can decompose into THC under normal storage conditions -- a "THC-free" label does not protect you. Hong Kong Customs screens arriving passengers for it: in July 2023 it announced the first jailing of an incoming passenger, in a case where about 5 g of CBD was found in two personal-care bottles in her luggage (she was also carrying ketamine, and the two months' imprisonment was the total for three counts).

Possession or consumption of a dangerous drug, which since 1 February 2023 includes CBD: a maximum of 7 years' imprisonment and a fine of HK$1,000,000. Trafficking, which includes importing and exporting, and sale: a maximum of life imprisonment and a fine of HK$5,000,000. Possessing any pipe, equipment or apparatus fit and intended for the smoking, inhalation, ingestion or injection of a dangerous drug is a separate offence: a maximum of 3 years' imprisonment and a fine of HK$10,000.

Verified Aug 24, 2026

Ordinary medicines are fine in your hand baggage in a reasonable quantity for your own use. But if your medicine is a controlled dangerous drug - strong opioids, higher-strength codeine, ADHD stimulants - you must obtain written approval from the Department of Health Drug Office BEFORE you fly, backed by a signed letter from your prescribing doctor. Allow 10 working days. This applies even if you are only transiting. Carry both documents throughout your stay.

Customs states that passengers are liable to prosecution if prohibited or controlled items are brought into or out of Hong Kong without a valid licence, permit, health certificate or written permission, and that such items are seized and confiscated; the penalty depends on the legislation governing the specific item.

Verified Sep 3, 2026

Mace, pepper spray, stun guns, switchblades, knuckle-dusters, self-defense batons, handcuffs, and similar items are banned in Hong Kong — including for transit passengers, as airport luggage is screened.

Arrest or detention; goods seized.

Verified Jul 23, 2026

Travelers arriving in Hong Kong with currency or bearer negotiable instruments totaling more than HKD 120,000 must declare to a Customs officer via the Red Channel; there is no limit on the amount itself.

Verified Jul 26, 2026

Hong Kong strictly controls transit/import of arms, ammunition, fireworks, dangerous drugs, antibiotics, animals, plants, endangered species, telecom equipment, meat, poultry, eggs, and powdered infant formula; permits are required.

Prosecution; goods seized.

Verified Jul 23, 2026

You must be 18 or over. You may bring in 1 litre of spirits above 30% alcohol by volume duty-free; beer, wine and anything at or below 30% carry no duty at all. If you hold a Hong Kong identity card, the 1-litre concession applies only after 24 hours or more outside Hong Kong. Cross-boundary drivers get no concession at all - use the Red Channel and declare.

Failing to declare, or making a false or incomplete declaration of, dutiable goods above the concession is liable to prosecution under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109). Customs may instead impose a compounded penalty; listed compoundable offences include possession of dutiable goods and failure to declare.

Verified Sep 3, 2026

Bringing any e-cigarette, vape or heated-tobacco product into Hong Kong is banned for arriving travellers - and since April 30, 2026, possessing e-cigarette capsules, liquids or heat sticks in public places is also an offence.

Public-place possession: HK$3,000 fixed penalty (larger quantities: fine up to HK$50,000 and 6 months imprisonment); importing is a criminal offence under Cap. 60.

Verified Jul 6, 2026

Hong Kong allows just 19 cigarettes duty-free - not 200. Alternatives are 1 cigar, or 25 g of cigars, or 25 g of other manufactured tobacco, and you must be 18 or over; anything more, use the Red Channel and declare. Smoking in a no-smoking area, including while queuing, is a HK$3,000 fixed penalty.

Failing to declare, or making a false or incomplete declaration of, dutiable goods above the concession is prosecutable. The compoundable penalty for failure to declare rose from HK$2,000 to HK$5,000 on 19 September 2025 under the Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2025. Importing, possessing or dealing in duty-not-paid tobacco carries a maximum HK$2,000,000 fine and 7 years imprisonment (raised the same day from HK$1,000,000 and 2 years). Smoking, or carrying an activated alternative smoking product, in a statutory no-smoking area: a fixed penalty of HK$3,000.

Verified Sep 2, 2026

Traffic moves on the left in Hong Kong; you may drive on a valid US license for up to one year, and vehicles must carry valid third-party liability insurance.

Verified Jul 23, 2026

Avoid photographing protesters or police without permission; photographing or joining protest activity authorities consider provocative may bring arrest under national-security laws.

Arrest under the National Security Law possible.

Verified Jul 23, 2026

Every SIM must be registered to a real identity before it will activate - buy yours in person and bring your passport, because there is no tourist exemption and Hong Kong SAR and BN(O) passports are not accepted as proof of identity. Signal jammers may not be possessed, sold or used. Do not rely on a foreign walkie-talkie: only handsets on 409.74-410 MHz under 500 mW are licence-free here.

Possession of radio apparatus, including a jammer, without a valid licence: on summary conviction a fine of HK$50,000 and 2 years imprisonment. Intentionally using such apparatus to cause harmful interference with legitimate radio apparatus: a fine of HK$50,000 and 6 months imprisonment. Pre-paid SIM cards that fail sample checks on registered information are deregistered and stop working.

Verified Sep 3, 2026

Most people in Hong Kong accept or are indifferent to LGBTQIA+ travellers, but community attitudes toward LGBTQIA+ people are generally more conservative than in Western countries.

Verified Jul 26, 2026

Hong Kong national-security laws — the 2020 National Security Law and the 2024 Safeguarding National Security Ordinance — are applied broadly and can reach acts outside Hong Kong, including social-media posts; joining unauthorized protests or posting content authorities deem subversive can bring criminal charges, and some cases may be transferred to mainland China.

Up to life imprisonment; risk of transfer to mainland China for prosecution.

Verified Jul 23, 2026