In the run-up to the resumption of normal travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland, the Customs & Excise Department today reminded the public and travellers not to bring prohibited or controlled items into or out of Hong Kong.

It explained that it has stepped up promotion efforts in this regard by distributing the Smart Guide to Passenger Clearance at boundary control points and will disseminate information via the social media platform pages and WeChat official account.

The department stressed that the Government has strict control over the import or export of prohibited and controlled items into or out of Hong Kong.

The commonly found prohibited and controlled items are dangerous drugs, psychotropic substances, controlled chemicals, antibiotics, arms, ammunition, weapons, fireworks, strategic commodities, rough diamonds, animals, plants, endangered species, telecommunication equipment, game, meat, poultry, eggs and powdered formula.

A passenger bringing any controlled medicines into or out of the city without a licence issued by the Department of Health is liable to prosecution with subject items seized. However, medicines carried by passengers in their personal baggage and in a reasonable quantity for personal use may be exempted from the licensing requirement.

Medicines classified as dangerous drugs, antibiotics or Part 1 poisons are also subject to control under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, the Antibiotics Ordinance or the Pharmacy & Poisons Ordinance. The import or export of such medicines requires a doctor's prescription.

Regarding alternative smoking products, under the Smoking (Public Health) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021, any person who imports, promotes, manufactures, sells or possesses for commercial purposes alternative smoking products may be fined up to $50,000 upon conviction and face six months of imprisonment.

Such alternative smoking products include electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco, herbal cigarettes and any related devices, parts and accessories.

As people may bring in prohibited and controlled items unknowingly after travel, home-visit or festive shopping in the Mainland during the Lunar New Year holidays, they are reminded not to bring into Hong Kong any game, meat, poultry or eggs without a health certificate. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.

Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals & Plants Ordinance, any individual found guilty of importing or exporting endangered species including orchids, ivory, American ginseng and dried seahorse without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years.