Customs officers are tasked with the duties to prevent and detect smuggling of contraband items such as narcotics, arms, ammunition, weapons, counterfeit and pirated goods. In fulfilling the mission, we examine baggage of passengers at entry / exit points on a selective basis. Personal search may also be conducted on passengers as and when required.

In order to ensure a smooth flow of passengers at entry / exit points, the Department adopts a risk management approach to select passengers for examination. In making the selection, we are mindful to avoid any inconvenience so caused to the passengers.

Passengers carrying food items, such as fruits, vegetables, fully-cooked meat, seafood (including hairy crab), for personal consumption in their personal baggage, in a reasonable quantity, are generally not subject to control.

However, import and export of rice must be covered by valid licences unless the rice is imported into or exported from Hong Kong in the personal luggage of a passenger solely for his own consumption or as gifts, in an amount not exceeding 15 kg.

Further, to ensure food safety and public health, the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132, Laws of Hong Kong, imposes import controls on certain foods. These include fresh and frozen meat and poultry, game, eggs, milk, and milk beverages. For a better understanding of regulations regarding the importation of food, it is advisable to consult the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department in advance to avoid violating the law.

Yes. The public can check the relevant information via the following means:

• This homepage;
• Customs enquiry hotline (852) 2815 7711;
• Pamphlets "Customs Declaration Guidelines on Red and Green Channel" distributed at all entry points; or
• "Display boxes and posters at all entry points".

The Department places posters along the Green Channel to remind incoming passengers that they are passing through a channel specifically designed for those who have nothing to declare. Those who have goods to declare should immediately leave for the Red Channel and / or seek assistance from Customs officers.

Passengers entering the Green Channel are not exempted from Customs examination.

It is not necessary to do so. Under the Red & Green Channel System, a passenger who chooses to use the Green Channel means he / she has made a Customs declaration that he / she has no controlled items, excessive dutiable goods or a large quantity of currency and bearer negotiable instruments ("CBNIs") (i.e. CBNIs of a total value more than HKD120,000 or the equivalent in foreign currencies).

Passengers importing prohibited / controlled goods are required to produce a valid licence or permit. Failing which, they may be liable to prosecution and the prohibited / controlled goods may be seized.

According to the Cross-boundary Movement of Physical Currency and Bearer Negotiable Instruments Ordinance, Chapter 629, Laws of Hong Kong ("the Ordinance") , passengers arriving in Hong Kong at a specified control point set out in Schedule 1 to the Ordinance and in possession of a large quantity of CBNIs(i.e. CBNIs of a total value more than HKD120,000 or the equivalent in foreign currencies), must make a declaration to a Customs officer, using the Red Channel. If the declaration made contains information that is false in a material particular, they may be liable to prosecution and the CBNIs may be confiscated.

No. Passengers should use the Red Channel to make declaration to Customs officers only if they bring in:

• dutiable commodities not entitled to duty-free concession;
• dutiable commodities exceeding the exempted quantities;
• any prohibited / controlled items; and / or
• large quantities of CBNIs (i.e. CBNIs of a total value more than HKD120,000 or the equivalent in foreign currencies).