Can I send medicine to Hong Kong?
No.
Don't pack medicines. Shipped medicines need a Department of Health import license, which goes to licensed traders. Carry reasonable personal quantities in your luggage instead.
For every Onvoyo box: Onvoyo can't carry prescription drugs. Over-the-counter medicine and vitamins follow the destination's own rules.
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
- Medicines, including over-the-counter ones
- Need a Department of Health import license. Licenses are issued to licensed traders, so the practical route is the personal-use exemption: reasonable quantities in your accompanied baggage. Importing without a license can bring a fine of HK$500,000 (about US$64,000) and 2 years in prison.
- Proprietary Chinese medicines and listed Chinese herbs
- Proprietary Chinese medicines and the 36 listed Chinese herbal medicines need a Department of Health import license, except reasonable personal quantities in accompanied baggage.
Quantity limits
- Medicines (travelers only)
- Reasonable quantities for personal use in accompanied baggage need no license. Shipped medicines need a Department of Health license.
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 medicine to Hong Kong?
No. Don't pack medicines. Shipped medicines need a Department of Health import license, which goes to licensed traders. Carry reasonable personal quantities in your luggage instead.
Can I ship my medicines to Hong Kong?
Not easily. Medicines need a Department of Health import license, and licenses are issued to licensed traders. The exemption covers only reasonable personal quantities in your accompanied baggage, so bring them with you. Medicines containing dangerous drugs also need an import certificate.
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) - 9.
Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department
Duty-free Concessions (opens in a new tab) - 10.
Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department
Personal Effects (opens in a new tab) - 11.
Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department
Controlled Exports (opens in a new tab)
General guidance, not legal advice. Customs in Hong Kong makes the final decision on every box.