Hong Kong & Macau Border Customs: What Can You Bring?

One-minute pre-border check: vapes, cigarettes, alcohol, medicines, food and cash. Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau have different customs rules. A direct transfer in one vehicle does not exempt passengers from customs checks. General guidance reviewed October 2026; official rules prevail.

E-cigarettes and vapes: prohibited

• Hong Kong: Importing e-cigarettes, vape devices, pods, e-liquids, heated-tobacco products and herbal cigarettes is prohibited. A limited airside airport transit exception does not apply to ordinary road passengers.
• Macau: Bringing e-cigarettes and related products into or out of Macau is prohibited.
• Never conceal restricted items in bags or leave them in the vehicle. If already at a crossing, ask customs staff how to surrender or dispose of them lawfully and safely.

Cigarettes and alcohol: quantity restrictions

• Entering Hong Kong: Travellers aged 18+ may bring 19 cigarettes duty-free (or another permitted tobacco quantity), and 1 litre of liquor over 30% ABV duty-free. Other conditions apply to Hong Kong ID holders; cross-boundary drivers do not receive passenger duty-free concessions.
• Entering Macau: Ordinary personal-use quantities without declaration are generally 19 cigarettes per person per day or one cigar under 3 g, and 1 litre of liquor over 30% ABV.
• Amounts exceeding limits may require declaration, duties, approvals or compliance with commercial import rules.

Other items worth checking

• Medicines: Some sleeping pills, sedatives, psychiatric drugs and prescription medicines are controlled. Carry original packaging and medical documentation, and check any permit requirements.
• Cannabis / CBD / THC: Do not bring gummies, oils or similar products containing these substances into Hong Kong. Check all jurisdictions along your route.
• Weapons and self-defence products: Pepper spray, stun devices, firearms, replica weapons, some knives and fireworks may be prohibited or require licences.
• Food, plants and wildlife: Fresh meat, eggs, seafood, fruit, seeds, pets and endangered-wildlife products may be restricted or require inspection or permits. On entry to Mainland China, fresh fruit and most meat products are prohibited in ordinary passenger baggage without an applicable authorisation.
• Cash: Entering Hong Kong with more than HKD 120,000 in cash or bearer negotiable instruments requires declaration; for Macau the threshold is MOP 120,000 or more. Disclosure may also be required on departure when questioned.
• Infant formula: Hong Kong restricts the export of powdered formula for children under 36 months. The usual exemption for eligible travellers aged 16+ is up to 1.8 kg net weight, with additional conditions concerning recent departures.

Official customs information

• Hong Kong Customs – Alternative Smoking Products
• Hong Kong Customs – Duty-free Concessions
• Hong Kong Customs – Prohibited / Controlled Items
• Hong Kong Customs – Cash Declaration · Infant Formula
• Macau Customs – Personal Allowances · Macau Customs FAQs
• Macau Customs – Cash Declaration · Macau Tourism – E-cigarettes
• Mainland Customs – Prohibited/Restricted Items and Quarantine List

JET SPEEDY travel tip: Please tell us before departure if carrying large quantities of tobacco/alcohol, controlled medication, pets or any unusual items. Our team can point you towards official rules; only border authorities can determine whether an item is permitted. Always follow officers’ instructions.