Clearance News and Alerts

Cannabidiol (CBD) has been classified as a dangerous drug under Hong Kong's Dangerous Drugs Ordinance since February 1, 2023. Hong Kong Customs has recently reminded the forwarding industry to remain vigilant regarding shipments containing CBD and other cannabis-related products.

Customers are reminded that the import, export, transshipment, possession and consumption of the following products are subject to strict controls in Hong Kong:

• Cannabidiol (CBD) products
• Products containing Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) 
• Cannabis
• Cannabis buds
• CBD oils and extracts
• CBD food and beverages 
• CBD health supplements
• CBD cosmetics and skincare products
• Other cannabis-derived products

Customers are advised to carefully review product ingredients, labels and supporting documentation before shipping goods to, from, or through Hong Kong. Particular attention should be paid to product descriptions containing the terms CBD, Cannabidiol, THC, Tetrahydrocannabinol, Cannabis, Cannabis Buds, Cannabis Extract or Hemp Extract.  

For more information, please refer to:

• Hong Kong Customs Press Release: Hong Kong Customs takes strict enforcement action to control cannabidiol (CBD) from February 1 (with photo)
• Narcotics Division, Security Bureau – Cannabidiol (CBD): https://www.nd.gov.hk/en/CBD.html

Hong Kong Customs has strengthened attention on cosmetic and beauty-related products that may fall under pharmaceutical control, including beauty injections, slimming/weight-loss injections, Botox, hyaluronic acid fillers and whitening injections.  

Common controlled ingredients identified include: 

Key Requirements: 

• Importers of pharmaceutical products and medicines must be registered with the Department of Health and obtain a valid import licence for each shipment before importation into Hong Kong.  
• Shippers and importers should review product ingredients, product claims, intended use and required permits before shipping cosmetic or beauty-related products to Hong Kong. 
• Importing pharmaceutical products or medicines without a valid import licence is an offence and may lead to prosecution, with a maximum penalty of HKD500,000 and imprisonment for tlio years upon conviction. 

For more details, please refer to the Hong Kong Drug Office information on medicines and consult the Department of Health / relevant authority where appropriate.  Please click here to learn more. 

Effective December 1, 2025, Hong Kong has implemented import and export controls on 18 regulated HFCs under the amended Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance (Cap. 403) in line with the Kigali Amendment.

Key Requirements: 

• Importers must hold a valid quota and obtain an import licence for each consignment. 

• Quotas will tighten progressively to achieve an 85% reduction by 2036. 

For details and the list of regulated HFCs, visit olpo.epd.gov.hk/en/info or contact EPD at +852 3153 2384 / olpoenq@epd.gov.hk.

Please click here to learn more. 

Effective April 11, 2025, 18 precursor chemicals will be added to the Control of Chemicals Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 2). The following is a list of the controlled substances:

• 1-boc-4-piperidone;

• 3,4-MDP-2P methyl glycidic acid and its methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl and tert-butyl esters;

• 4-piperidone; and 

• P-2-P methyl glycidic acid and its methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl and tert-butyl esters

The import and export of the above substances is subject to the control of a licensing scheme administered by the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department. For more details, please refer to  Control of Chemicals Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 2) Order 2025 – Annex B.

Bromazolam, Butonitazene, Etomidate, Isopropoxate, Metomidate, and Propoxate will be added to the First Schedule to the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (DDO) (Cap. 134) and make a technical amendment to the name of one of the substances, the updated name is N-[1-(aminocarbonyl)-2,2-dimethylpropyl]-1-butyl-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide.

Etomidate and its analogues are commonly found in the street drug known as "space oil drug". This substance is often inhaled through electronic cigarettes and poses significant health risks, including dependence and adrenal suppression. The government has banned "space oil drug" under the DDO. Possessing, smoking, inhaling, injecting, or otherwise ingesting "space oil drug" is now illegal, with severe penalties for violations.

Please refer to below links for more details:

• DDO (Amendment of 1st Schedule) Order 2025 - English version

• Orders to amend DDO on Feb 14 and etomidate to become dangerous drug - English version

Starting January 1, 2025, new regulations for the import and export of electrical and electronic waste (EEW) will be implemented in Hong Kong. These changes are part of the E-waste Amendments to the Basel Convention.

All EEW shipments (Examples: Waste landline phones, waste routers, waste keyboards, waste hard disks, mixed electrical and electronic waste, wastes arising from shredding waste electrical and electronic equipment or components, etc.) will require a permit. Illegal shipments will be repatriated, and responsible parties may face prosecution.

Second-hand electronic equipment that is functional and not destined for disposal is exempt from these controls. However, it must meet specific criteria: the equipment should not be for disposal or dismantling, must have all essential parts, and be free from significant damage. It should be fit for direct consumer use, not overly worn or damaged, and must be properly packaged to prevent damage during transit. For more details, please refer to the Non-exhaustive list with pictures.

Please click here to learn more.

Effective December 31, 2025, Hong Kong -implements strengthened controls on manufacture, import, export and supply of newly regulated mercury‑added products under the amended Mercury Control Ordinance. 

Effective January 1, 2026, Macao implements control measures on the import, export and transit of 14 mercury‑added products under Chief Executive Dispatch No. 109/2025, with no grace period provided.

Key Requirements:

• Shipments containing regulated mercury‑added products cannot be imported, exported, or transit via Hong Kong or Macao after the respective effective dates. 

• Only specific exemptions in Macao (e.g., research, calibration, reference standards) may apply, with required documentation.

• Customers are advised to verify product composition and ensure compliance before tendering shipments.

For official details:

• Hong Kong Press Release (Dec 23, 2025): New control on regulated mercury-added products to take effect on December 31  

• Macao Press Release: The SAR Government Implements Control Measures on the Import, Export and Transit of Mercury‑Added Products under the Minamata Convention.

CSV Datasets of Hong Kong Harmonized System (HKHS) Codes 2025 Edition is available for download from here.

If you’re a business outside Canada exporting commercial goods into Canada and responsible for the payment of any duties and taxes as the Importer of Record (IOR), it’s important to take the necessary steps now to help prevent your FedEx Express shipments from being delayed at the border when CARM is fully implemented.

Please click here to learn more.