Personal Effects Customs Clearance Hong Kong
Hong Kong is classed as a free port and shipments only require a packing list detailing the contents of the shipment and declaring they are used personal effects, to allow for duty free customs clearance.
General Personal Effects Customs Information
Personal effects are typically defined as used items which have been in the sender's possession for 6 months or more. If your shipment is checked by customs and is found to contain brand new or commercial items, you shipment may not be assessed as personal effects. Keep this in mind if you are sending Christmas gifts or other new items. Please check with customs so you are aware of potential customs duties, follow any advice given and attach all necessary documentation.
In order to demonstrate that your shipment consists of personal effects, you will be required to complete a brief non-generic packing list online, entries to be made in the format: "5 x Cotton Dresses, 2 x Jeans, 3 x Pair of Gloves", and so on, rather than as "10 x Used Clothing".
As customs processes and allowances vary by country, we advise all customers take 5 minutes to check how their personal circumstances and what they are sending will be assessed under the prevailing customs regulations of the destination.
More information is available on our customs information page.
Customs Clearance Time
Most shipments on this route will not be stopped by customs, however, when a bag is stopped by customs for any reason (missing documentation, impromptu inspection, prohibited contents, commercial contents or further information required) Send My Bag records how long customs hold it for. Our historical statistics for this route indicate that if the customs authority stops your bag they will on average take 1 working day to process it and release it back to us for delivery.
Personal Effects Customs Clearance Hong Kong
Hong Kong is classed as a free port and shipments only require a packing list detailing the contents of the shipment and declaring they are used personal effects, to allow for duty free customs clearance.
General Personal Effects Customs Information
Personal effects are typically defined as used items which have been in the sender's possession for 6 months or more. If your shipment is checked by customs and is found to contain brand new or commercial items, you shipment may not be assessed as personal effects. Keep this in mind if you are sending Christmas gifts or other new items. Please check with customs so you are aware of potential customs duties, follow any advice given and attach all necessary documentation.
In order to demonstrate that your shipment consists of personal effects, you will be required to complete a brief non-generic packing list online, entries to be made in the format: "5 x Cotton Dresses, 2 x Jeans, 3 x Pair of Gloves", and so on, rather than as "10 x Used Clothing".
As customs processes and allowances vary by country, we advise all customers take 5 minutes to check how their personal circumstances and what they are sending will be assessed under the prevailing customs regulations of the destination.
More information is available on our customs information page.
Customs Clearance Time
Most shipments on this route will not be stopped by customs, however, when a bag is stopped by customs for any reason (missing documentation, impromptu inspection, prohibited contents, commercial contents or further information required) Send My Bag records how long customs hold it for. Our historical statistics for this route indicate that if the customs authority stops your bag they will on average take 1 working day to process it and release it back to us for delivery.
A maximum of 1 lithium battery is permitted per shipment (excludes to / from Australia) when it is contained within a working personal electronic device such as a mobile phone. Review our battery policy.
- Aerosols or any other pressurised containers;
- Liquids, Pastes and Gels of any type (including nail varnish and perfume);
- Toner Cartridges;
- Loose Batteries & Power Banks;
- No more than ONE device containing a lithium battery in line with our battery policy OR when shipping to / from Australia or China, NO device containing any kind of battery;
- Tracking devices such as AirTags;
- Animals and Animal products;
- Firearms and firearm parts, ammunition, weapons (including imitations of same);
- Explosives, incendiary materials and devices including but not limited to fireworks, matches, flares, solid fuels;
- Flowers and plant products;
- Human remains or ashes;
- Medical samples;
- Items that require a temperature controlled environment;
- Pornography;
- Prescription drugs and pharmaceutical products;
- Tobacco and vaping products regardless of nicotine content;
- Religious Artefacts
- Foodstuffs, perishable, animal origin and controlled food articles and beverages including, but not limited to: Fruit & vegetables, dairy products (including dried products containing dairy such as milk chocolate and protein powder), meat, fish, nuts, seeds, wine, beer, spirits and champagne; or
- Packages that are wet, leaking or emit an odour of any kind;
- Valuables and high value items including but not limited to antiques, paintings, jewellery, precious stones and electrical equipment (low value electrical equipment is permitted but sent at the owner's risk);
- Cash or other forms of tradeable currency;
- Credit cards;
- Passports or other confidential personal documentation;
- Irreplaceable items;
- Other Dangerous / hazardous goods;
- Counterfeit goods;
- Items from sanctioned countries;
- Other illegal or restricted goods.
More information is available under section 11 of our terms of service.
Additional prohibited items for Hong Kong
Items excluded from cover
The following items will be accepted but are sent at your risk and are not included under complimentary cover:
- Electrical Items, including but not limited to; Tablets, Mobile Phones, Computers, Hi-Fis, TVs.
- Glass & Porcelain.
- Any other non standard excess baggage items.
If you choose to send any of the above please ensure you package the item appropriately, for example a TV inside a suitcase is not appropriate.
A maximum of 1 lithium battery is permitted per shipment (excludes to / from Australia) when it is contained within a working personal electronic device such as a mobile phone. Review our battery policy.
- Aerosols or any other pressurised containers;
- Liquids, Pastes and Gels of any type (including nail varnish and perfume);
- Toner Cartridges;
- Loose Batteries & Power Banks;
- No more than ONE device containing a lithium battery in line with our battery policy OR when shipping to / from Australia or China, NO device containing any kind of battery;
- Tracking devices such as AirTags;
- Animals and Animal products;
- Firearms and firearm parts, ammunition, weapons (including imitations of same);
- Explosives, incendiary materials and devices including but not limited to fireworks, matches, flares, solid fuels;
- Flowers and plant products;
- Human remains or ashes;
- Medical samples;
- Items that require a temperature controlled environment;
- Pornography;
- Prescription drugs and pharmaceutical products;
- Tobacco and vaping products regardless of nicotine content;
- Religious Artefacts
- Foodstuffs, perishable, animal origin and controlled food articles and beverages including, but not limited to: Fruit & vegetables, dairy products (including dried products containing dairy such as milk chocolate and protein powder), meat, fish, nuts, seeds, wine, beer, spirits and champagne; or
- Packages that are wet, leaking or emit an odour of any kind;
- Valuables and high value items including but not limited to antiques, paintings, jewellery, precious stones and electrical equipment (low value electrical equipment is permitted but sent at the owner's risk);
- Cash or other forms of tradeable currency;
- Credit cards;
- Passports or other confidential personal documentation;
- Irreplaceable items;
- Other Dangerous / hazardous goods;
- Counterfeit goods;
- Items from sanctioned countries;
- Other illegal or restricted goods.
More information is available under section 11 of our terms of service.
Additional prohibited items for Hong Kong
Items excluded from cover
The following items will be accepted but are sent at your risk and are not included under complimentary cover:
- Electrical Items, including but not limited to; Tablets, Mobile Phones, Computers, Hi-Fis, TVs.
- Glass & Porcelain.
- Any other non standard excess baggage items.
If you choose to send any of the above please ensure you package the item appropriately, for example a TV inside a suitcase is not appropriate.
On EU standard services (not express) and all UK and US domestic services you may send:
- Shower gel.
- Toothpaste.
- Other non flammable and non alcohol based liquids, pastes & gels for use on holiday.
Nail varnish, perfume and aerosols are not permitted. If these items are included in your luggage it may be returned to you.
Whilst non alcohol based liquids are permitted, damage caused by leakage is not covered by complimentary cover and therefore only small amounts should be sent. If an x-ray shows liquids of any type security may stop your bag for inspection.
A maximum of 1 lithium battery is permitted per shipment (excludes to / from Australia) when it is contained within a working personal electronic device such as a mobile phone. Review our battery policy. The following items are prohibited at all times:
- Aerosols or any other pressurised containers;
- Alcohol based or Flammable Liquids, Pastes and Gels of any type including, but not limited to, nail varnish and perfume;
- Toner Cartridges;
- Loose Batteries & Power Banks;
- No more than ONE device containing a lithium battery in line with our battery policy OR when shipping to / from Australia or China, NO device containing any kind of battery;
- Tracking devices such as AirTags;
- Animals and Animal products;
- Firearms and firearm parts, ammunition, weapons (including imitations of same);
- Explosives, incendiary materials and devices including but not limited to fireworks, matches, flares, solid fuels;
- Flowers and plant products;
- Human remains or ashes;
- Medical samples;
- Items that require a temperature controlled environment;
- Pornography;
- Prescription drugs and pharmaceutical products;
- Tobacco and vaping products regardless of nicotine content;
- Religious Artefacts
- Foodstuffs, perishable, animal origin and controlled food articles and beverages including, but not limited to: Fruit & vegetables, dairy products (including dried products containing dairy such as milk chocolate and protein powder), meat, fish, nuts, seeds, wine, beer, spirits and champagne; or
- Packages that are wet, leaking or emit an odour of any kind;
- Valuables and high value items including but not limited to antiques, paintings, jewellery, precious stones and electrical equipment (low value electrical equipment is permitted but sent at the owner's risk);
- Cash or other forms of tradeable currency;
- Credit cards;
- Passports or other confidential personal documentation;
- Irreplaceable items;
- Other Dangerous / hazardous goods;
- Counterfeit goods;
- Items from sanctioned countries;
- Other illegal or restricted goods.
More information is available under section 11 of our terms of service.
Additional prohibited items for Hong Kong
Items Excluded From Cover
The following items will be accepted but are sent at your risk and are not included under complimentary cover:
- Electrical Items, including but not limited to; Tablets, Mobile Phones, Computers, Hi-Fis, TVs.
- Glass & Porcelain.
- Any other non standard excess baggage items.
If you choose to send any of the above please ensure you package the item appropriately, for example a TV inside a suitcase is not appropriate.
On EU standard services (not express) and all UK and US domestic services you may send:
- Shower gel.
- Toothpaste.
- Other non flammable and non alcohol based liquids, pastes & gels for use on holiday.
Nail varnish, perfume and aerosols are not permitted. If these items are included in your luggage it may be returned to you.
Whilst non alcohol based liquids are permitted, damage caused by leakage is not covered by complimentary cover and therefore only small amounts should be sent. If an x-ray shows liquids of any type security may stop your bag for inspection.
A maximum of 1 lithium battery is permitted per shipment (excludes to / from Australia) when it is contained within a working personal electronic device such as a mobile phone. Review our battery policy. The following items are prohibited at all times:
- Aerosols or any other pressurised containers;
- Alcohol based or Flammable Liquids, Pastes and Gels of any type including, but not limited to, nail varnish and perfume;
- Toner Cartridges;
- Loose Batteries & Power Banks;
- No more than ONE device containing a lithium battery in line with our battery policy OR when shipping to / from Australia or China, NO device containing any kind of battery;
- Tracking devices such as AirTags;
- Animals and Animal products;
- Firearms and firearm parts, ammunition, weapons (including imitations of same);
- Explosives, incendiary materials and devices including but not limited to fireworks, matches, flares, solid fuels;
- Flowers and plant products;
- Human remains or ashes;
- Medical samples;
- Items that require a temperature controlled environment;
- Pornography;
- Prescription drugs and pharmaceutical products;
- Tobacco and vaping products regardless of nicotine content;
- Religious Artefacts
- Foodstuffs, perishable, animal origin and controlled food articles and beverages including, but not limited to: Fruit & vegetables, dairy products (including dried products containing dairy such as milk chocolate and protein powder), meat, fish, nuts, seeds, wine, beer, spirits and champagne; or
- Packages that are wet, leaking or emit an odour of any kind;
- Valuables and high value items including but not limited to antiques, paintings, jewellery, precious stones and electrical equipment (low value electrical equipment is permitted but sent at the owner's risk);
- Cash or other forms of tradeable currency;
- Credit cards;
- Passports or other confidential personal documentation;
- Irreplaceable items;
- Other Dangerous / hazardous goods;
- Counterfeit goods;
- Items from sanctioned countries;
- Other illegal or restricted goods.
More information is available under section 11 of our terms of service.
Additional prohibited items for Hong Kong
Items Excluded From Cover
The following items will be accepted but are sent at your risk and are not included under complimentary cover:
- Electrical Items, including but not limited to; Tablets, Mobile Phones, Computers, Hi-Fis, TVs.
- Glass & Porcelain.
- Any other non standard excess baggage items.
If you choose to send any of the above please ensure you package the item appropriately, for example a TV inside a suitcase is not appropriate.
Why Ship to Hong Kong?
Whether it’s for a quick break to see the sights of the magnificent city of Hong Kong or for an extended period to really get to know the city and its surrounding area, there are plenty of home comforts and extra things that you may like to bring with you. Send My Bag is the perfect solution if you are concerned about the amount of luggage you want to take or bring back with you. Perhaps you have heavy or oddly shaped items that might incur oversized baggage fees, such as bikes or heavy hiking boots. Send My Bag can pick your oversized or extra luggage directly from your front door and deliver it to your destination in Hong Kong, wherever that might be. It takes all the hassle out of travelling since you don’t have to worry about missing luggage, extra charges that you might incur or having to transport your luggage from the airport to your accommodation.
Hong Kong is an increasingly popular choice for students looking to study abroad. Send My Bag can help students relocate to Hong Kong, allowing them to bring all the books, equipment and clothing that they need, thus allowing them to settle in quickly.
Send Luggage to Hong Kong
Sending your luggage and boxes to Hong Kong is easy with Send My Bag. If you send your luggage you will make your journey to Hong Kong a lot more enjoyable, with no need to wait around to check in baggage or to pick it up from luggage carousels. You also don’t need to worry about how to get your luggage to your accommodation from the airport. If you are moving permanently to Hong Kong, sending your luggage means you can bring with you lots of your beloved possessions to help you set up home there. To read more about sending luggage to Hong Kong, take a look at our ‘How it works’ page, or our ‘FAQs’.
Removals to Hong Kong
You will have to look into international removals to Hong Kong if you are relocating to Hong Kong permanently. If you go for this option, make sure all your items are carefully packaged so that they arrive in one piece. Use suitable packaging for your items and tape everything up well.
Student Shipping to Hong Kong
The eight public universities in Hong Kong use English as their language of instruction, making their degree courses accessible to many English-speakers around the world. Why not study in Hong Kong and experience this East-meets-West culture? To study and live in Hong Kong you will need to bring lots of items with you, such as your course textbooks and many other items, like novels, clothes and photos. Send My Bag can ship all these items for you and take the hassle out of your move. Read more about student shipping on our student removals page and find out how to receive your student discount.
Sending a Parcel to Hong Kong
Send My Bag sends parcels to Hong Kong, allowing friends or family members to send you things while you are abroad, such as something you accidentally left behind at home. It couldn’t be easier to send a parcel to Hong Kong with Send My Bag. Choose a sturdy box, pack up your items safely and tape the box up well so nothing gets damaged in transit. Find out more about sending a parcel and learn what you can send with Send My Bag and how to package your items.
Ways of Shipping to Hong Kong
Whatever the reason for travelling to Hong Kong, you should familiarise yourself with the various options available for shipping to Hong Kong. Some options will be more applicable to you than others, depending on what you need to ship. You can choose between several different options for international shipping to Hong Kong.
Send Golf Clubs to Hong Kong
Despite consisting of a single city, Hong Kong has around nine golf clubs for golfers to choose from. The best include Jockey Club, Clearwater Bay and Discovery Bay. So, as well as enjoying the hustle and bustle of the city you can take some time to relax with a few rounds of golf. You can enjoy your rounds of golf using your own clubs, rather than renting clubs when you arrive, by sending them to Hong Kong with Send My Bag. You can also avoid oversized baggage fees from your airlines by sending your golf clubs. See further information on how to send golf clubs with Send My Bag, including how best to package your golf clubs.
Send your Bike to Hong Kong
Hong Kong has both urban and rural areas that you can cycle through. You can do this on your own bicycle by sending it with Send My Bag. Your bike will arrive at your hotel, ready for you to pick up and get started cycling around Hong Kong. Sending your bike to Hong Kong is a better option than checking it into the hold of your plane. You will avoid oversized baggage fees and won't have to carry the bike to and from the airport. Your bike will need to be taken apart and properly packaged before being sent to Hong Kong. Check out our information on bike shipping to learn more.
About Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China located on the southern coast. Hong Kong is known for its deep natural harbour and huge population of over seven million people, 93.6% of whom are ethnic Chinese. The official and spoken languages of Hong Kong are traditional Chinese and British English. The currency used is the Hong Kong dollar. The climate in Hong Kong is generally very humid, being monsoon influenced and subtropical. It experiences four seasons: a cool winter, wet spring, hot and humid summer, and warm autumn, with the rainy season lasting between May and September.
Hong Kong is known as a fantastic place to visit during the coinciding Chinese New Year and Spring Festival, which see celebratory events such as parades, fireworks and dances. Being a bustling, highly populated city, there are any number of things to do, with shopping and exploring the city being top of the list, closely followed by cultural visits to ancient Taoist temples and monuments which sit nestled among the skyscrapers.
If you want to get away from the crowds, Hong Kong has its own wild side with close-by outlying islands, volcanic landscapes and nature parks to enjoy. Cycling is a great way to see the sights of the city without getting stuck on public transport, or you can take to the hills and woods to explore the hiking trails, such as award-winning Dragon’s Back.
Please explore this page further to find out about Send My Bag’s shipping service to Hong Kong.
Air Freight to Hong Kong
You could try air freight when sending a large item like an armchair or sofa to Hong Kong. This kind of service normally takes around one to two days. This tends to be quicker than sea freight shipping, but usually more expensive. Keep in mind that you will probably also have to pay a customs agent to handle customs clearance for you. Another thing to consider is getting your items to and from the airport. The price could, therefore, quickly mount up. If you send internationally by air freight to Hong Kong your items will likely arrive at Hong Kong International Airport.
Sea Freight and Container Shipping to Hong Kong
You could instead try sea freight or container shipping to get your possessions to Hong Kong. Large bulky items are loaded into containers, which are, in turn, placed onto cargo ships. You will need to wait several weeks for your items to arrive, though it is normally less expensive than air freight. However, you will still need to pay for the services of a customs agent and will need to arrange how to get your items to and from the ports. When using container shipping to Hong Kong, your items will most likely arrive by ship at Hong Kong’s main shipping port.
Shipping Goods to Hong Kong
You must research current customs rules when shipping goods to Hong Kong. Make sure you know about any duty and taxes that you need to pay and what items are allowed to be shipped to Hong Kong, which items are restricted, and which are entirely prohibited. Take a look at the prohibited items and customs sections on this page for more information.