Can I send documents and photos to Hong Kong?
Allowed
Yes.
Personal papers and photos are fine and carry no duty.
More rules for Hong Kong
Not allowed
- Dangerous drugs and psychotropic substances, including medicines containing them, without a Department of Health import license and import certificate
Allowed with conditions
- Meat, poultry, game, and eggs
- Raw or not thoroughly cooked meat, poultry, game, and eggs need a health certificate from the place of origin or FEHD permission, even for personal use. Chilled or frozen meat and poultry also need an import license. Compounded foods such as dumplings aren't covered by these rules, but couriers refuse perishable food.
- Food from Japan
- If you're sending from Japan: aquatic products (live, chilled, frozen, dried, or preserved), sea salt, and seaweed from Tokyo, Fukushima, Chiba, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Gunma, Miyagi, Niigata, Nagano, and Saitama are banned. Vegetables, fruits, milk, milk beverages, and dried milk from Fukushima are banned too; from Ibaraki, Tochigi, Chiba, and Gunma they need radiation and exporter certificates.
Before you ship to Hong Kong
- Tax-free limit
- No threshold applies, because ordinary goods pay no duty or tax at any value. Dutiable goods (spirits over 30% alcohol, tobacco, certain fuels, and methyl alcohol) are taxed from the first bottle or stick. Shipped personal effects get no duty-free concession for them.
- Receiver ID
- Hong Kong has no import tax number to give. The courier needs the receiver's full name, the full address with flat and floor, and a local phone number to arrange delivery.
- Transit
- 1-3 business days from elsewhere in Asia; 3-5 from Europe or North America
Questions
Can I send documents and photos to Hong Kong?
Yes. Personal papers and photos are fine and carry no duty.
Ask about a specific item
Official sources
- 1.
Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department
Controlled Imports (opens in a new tab) - 2.
Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department
Types and Duty Rates (opens in a new tab) - 3.
Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office, Department of Health
Tobacco Control Legislation (opens in a new tab) - 4.
Centre for Food Safety, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
Imported Food Control: Frequently Asked Questions (opens in a new tab) - 5.
Centre for Food Safety, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
The latest control measures on food imported from Japan (opens in a new tab) - 6.
Department of Health, Drug Information and Import/Export Control Division
Guidance for Application for Import and Export Licences for Pharmaceutical Products and Medicines (opens in a new tab) - 7.
Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department
Customs and Excise (fact sheet, September 2025) (opens in a new tab) - 8.
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department
Personal or Household Effects (opens in a new tab)
General guidance, not legal advice. Customs in Hong Kong makes the final decision on every box.