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Hong Kong
Check our destination guide for postal restrictions and requirements
Prohibitions
The following items are prohibited from importation, meaning they won't be allowed to enter the destination country, territory or region.
To check which items are considered dangerous and prohibited for sending from Australia, download our dangerous goods guide (1.2MB).
- Alternative smoking products, defined as:
- A device (other than a waterpipe) that is capable of generating an aerosol, other than by means of direct lighting, from any substances (except dangerous drugs) and being used for imitating conventional smoking; its component or accessory.
- Any substance (other than a dangerous drug) suitable for use with a device above to generate an aerosol from that substance. Examples include heated tobacco sticks and “e-liquid”.
- Any plant material (other than tobacco or a dangerous drug) rolled up in any material for immediate use for imitating conventional smoking (i.e. herbal cigarettes).
- Animals, live
- Advertising relating to gambling or games of chance
- Agriculture poisons
- Counterfeit currency
- Imitation markings of the Government Services
- Imitation postage stamps
- Lottery tickets and circulars
- Meat and edible meat offal
- Paper and paperboard
- Printed books, newspapers and other products of the printing industry- offensive by nature
- Trademarks, false or imitated.
Transporting food of any kind, cash and perfumes are prohibited under International Courier.
Batteries
All types of batteries and devices containing them are prohibited from being sent via International Courier services.
Import restrictions
If an item is subject to import restrictions, it means that provisions must be met before it will be released from customs in the destination country, territory or region.
We recommend you confirm import restrictions with local authorities before posting:
- Agricultural and domestic pesticides
- Animals and animal products
- Asbestos
- Arms and ammunition
- Antibiotics
- Bees
- Beverages and alcoholic fluids
- Coffee
- Cereals
- Flies
- Firearms
- Hydrocarbon oil
- Leeches
- Mineral products
- Medicines (for all medicines - including vaccines, Chinese Herbal Medicines and Proprietary Chinese Medicines – the receiver must hold an import license from Hong Kong’s Department of Health)
- Narcotics
- Pharmaceutical products
- Parasites and insect killers
- Plants and parts of plants
- Paint, varnish and enamels
- Precious metals
- Rice
- Rubber
- Sand
- Silkworms
- Sugar
- Textiles and textile articles
- Waste
In general imports into Hong Kong are tax-free, except for tobacco and alcohol over 30% these items will incur duties.
- Hong Kong requires an import permit for many goods. Before posting any item, senders should confirm that the addressee has any necessary permit. Address import permit enquiries to Director, Commerce and Industry Department, Hong Kong
- Senders should determine import restrictions from Hong Kong authorities before posting certain items, including Textiles and Textile articles
Please note the following restrictions for International Standard articles being carried by the EMS network:
- Ammunition
- Animals
- Antiques
- Asbestos
- Bees
- Biological substances
- Bullion
- Coins
- Counterfeit
- Currency
- Fur
- Human ashes
- Human remains
- Ivory
- Jewellery
- Leeches
- Live
- Narcotics
- Perfumery
- Perfume
- Perishable
- Pornography
- Precious metals
- Precious stones
- Silkworms
- Watches (only if over $150.00)
- Weapons
Okay to send? Send responsibly.
As the sender, it's your responsibility to make sure your items don't break any laws or rules – both within Australia and in the destination country.
Restrictions and conditions can change at short notice so the information on this page should be used as a guide only. For the latest information, you should check the UPU prohibitions & restrictions (PDF 3.2MB) or contact the destination country's customs, postal trade or government authority.
It's also your responsibility to check if the destination country imposes any duties, taxes, brokerage fees or any other fees on the item you're sending. If you're unsure, please contact the consulate office of the destination country.
Special documentation
In addition to our customs forms, authorities in the destination country, territory or region require further documentation for some items.
Hong Kong requires an import permit for many goods. Before posting any item, senders should confirm that the addressee has any necessary permit. Address import permit enquiries to Director, Commerce and Industry Department, Hong Kong.
Delivery locations & exclusions
Before sending to this destination, it’s worth noting a few more details about our international delivery services.
Delivery locations & exclusions data (Personal)
- International Express and International Standard (both carried via the EMS network) - Parcels deliver to all destinations
International Express and International Standard - Parcels does deliver to a Post Office Box however does not deliver to a Poste Restante. - International Courier
Check our International Courier page for more details.
Shipments must be lodged at the counter at a participating Post Office (PDF 832kB) by the cut-off time, which may vary by outlet. Please fill out the online CN23 customs form prior to visiting the outlet.
International Courier does not deliver to a Post Office Box or Poste Restante.
Metropolitan delivery to all areas.
For more information from the overseas carrier, check the Hong Kong Post website.
Make sure it's safe to send
Some items are considered dangerous and unsuitable for sending from Australia, even if they’re not prohibited by the destination country.
