Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - Anyone ever brought cases of wine on CX into HKG?

Flying back SFO-HKG tonight, bringing two cases of wine with me. I plan on checking them both with CX (they're in large made-for-wine cardboard boxes with styrofoam wine holders inside, I send them through Fedex often with no problems). Has anyone done this here before? I'm more concerned about CX saying something (too heavy, weird boxes, etc) or HK customs saying something in HKG. I know wine duty is gone, but I think the rules technically say they have to be "in your checked luggage." I suppose this qualifies?

Also, does CX do anything to the boxes (like stick them in one of those containers, or wrap wire around them or anything)?

I'll have 3 pieces of checked luggage including the two boxes (I'm traveling F and am DM), plus a few carry-ons.

This law is so new that I am uncertain how it is implemented by the carriers or the HK Customs.

I suggest you pre-check with CX first so that you will not be stopped at check-in. I brought fragile items years ago, and I remember CX put stickers on. They have limited liability on checked luggage though.

Mrs. MTACCHI brought a case of Burrowing Owl from Vancouver whilst in J last month. No issues with CX or Customs.

To follow up, I just got off and had no issues, both with CX in SFO and in HKG with customs. Two full cases of wine (each its own separate cardboard box) plus a third checked bag, as well as a few carry-ons.

I can't see how you could possibly have an issue with HK customs. There is no duty on wine in HK.

I can't see how you could possibly have an issue with HK customs. There is no duty on wine in HK.

I'm sure there will be if you bring in enough to arouse suspicion that you're reselling. You have to have to get some license to get approval for resale, and I figured 2 cases of just wine might be pushing it when they say bringing items through the airport need to be contained "in your checked luggage."

Nope - see http://www.customs.gov.hk/pdf/pdf_notice/fact_sheet_eng.pdf from which: 3. Starting from 6 June 2008, under the new law, the administrative controls on the specified goods will be relaxed. Wine/liquor traders will no longer be required to apply for any licences or permits for the import or export, manufacture, storage or movement of the specified goods.

Nope - see http://www.customs.gov.hk/pdf/pdf_notice/fact_sheet_eng.pdf from which:

Okay great. I didn't know that.

There is no problem according to the law. My only concern was that the law is very new and many may not be aware of it. Apparently I was wrong. Either everyone knows or nobody cares about that.:)

Mrs. MTACCHI brought a case of Burrowing Owl from Vancouver whilst in J last month. No issues with CX or Customs.

They can be quite tasty if you soak the feathers off first.

They can be quite tasty if you soak the feathers off first.


;).. Maybe I will open one right now :)