Carrying Baby Milk formula to China
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 10,980
Baby formula should be store in sealed container - imagine how much they will clog together when it's humid (even in Sept).
I doubt that they will do anything since you have an infant with you and that you have a reasonable amount of it for personal consumption then you should be fine.
I doubt that they will do anything since you have an infant with you and that you have a reasonable amount of it for personal consumption then you should be fine.
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: QR/AC Gold, VA Silver, IHG Plat, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 1,581
Just a suggestion. Rather than ask us for an answer based on our assumptions, why don't you email the FHB (Food & Health Bureau) for an official answer. On your above link, there is an email link to the FHB. I would carry a copy of the FBH reply to your questions. Just my two cents. Safe Travels!
#18
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Germany
Posts: 1,244
I heard they are pretty strict with this rule. What you could do is to send the powder from japan to china mainland. Its legal to import as many as you want to mainland, its just not legal to export it from Hongkong. Even a sidetrip from Hongkong to Macau and then heading to mainland should help you, because there is no simular rule there.
#19
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
Posts: 4,728
#20
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,377
But then the custom might start wondering what kind of "powder" it is
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
(I do agree that the idea is not great either.)
I believe that the Customs has fast testing kits for narcotics. So if they wonder, let them.
#22
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYZ/MGA
Programs: AA 1MM Lifetime Gold, AA Platinum, WS Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 7,607
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
#25
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,646
My observations. Sorry you're not going to like them.
1. It doesn't matter if a prescription is required in Australia - in order for the prescription exception (if any ever existed) it must be registered here https://www.drugoffice.gov.hk/eps/pr...FieldAction.do - I highly doubt it is (I searched for Neocate)
2. Reasonable quantity exception only applies if you and your missus leave HK within 24 hours. And it should be enough for the duration of the travel only http://www.customs.gov.hk/en/whats_new/API/index.html . If you are >24h in HK then 1.8KG/adult is your limit.
3. I do not believe China Customs will stop you if you can get it to the Chinese border without HK confiscation. I'm not sure what the duty-free limits are (it's either 5KG or RMB5,000 per person) but I suppose you and your missus will count for two limits so your 7.2KG of powder should be fine.
(Not that I'm encouraging OP to test this) but how are the regulations enforced at HKIA? Passengers walk through customs officials at the land and ferry crossings but at HKIA how would Customs inspect luggage? Pull the passenger who checked in >1.8KG milk powder at the gate?
All the controls (at least those I can see) are focused on what passengers can bring *into* HK. What is there to control what passengers can bring out (other than scaring them through loudspeakers)?
1. It doesn't matter if a prescription is required in Australia - in order for the prescription exception (if any ever existed) it must be registered here https://www.drugoffice.gov.hk/eps/pr...FieldAction.do - I highly doubt it is (I searched for Neocate)
2. Reasonable quantity exception only applies if you and your missus leave HK within 24 hours. And it should be enough for the duration of the travel only http://www.customs.gov.hk/en/whats_new/API/index.html . If you are >24h in HK then 1.8KG/adult is your limit.
3. I do not believe China Customs will stop you if you can get it to the Chinese border without HK confiscation. I'm not sure what the duty-free limits are (it's either 5KG or RMB5,000 per person) but I suppose you and your missus will count for two limits so your 7.2KG of powder should be fine.
(Not that I'm encouraging OP to test this) but how are the regulations enforced at HKIA? Passengers walk through customs officials at the land and ferry crossings but at HKIA how would Customs inspect luggage? Pull the passenger who checked in >1.8KG milk powder at the gate?
All the controls (at least those I can see) are focused on what passengers can bring *into* HK. What is there to control what passengers can bring out (other than scaring them through loudspeakers)?
Last edited by percysmith; Sep 10, 2014 at 8:52 pm
#26
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,646
I've just crossed Shenzhen bay crossing back into hk, doing something with moondog (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/credi...l#post23520894). I saw four customs officers and taking a chance I chatted one up about milk rule. He was happy to chat with me about the rule:
Me: "My SIL is taking my nephew from Sydney to here and then to Guangzhou. She's contemplating bringing 8 cans of powder. They are prescribed in Aus, but I don't think they are prescribed in HK. Can she?"
HK officer: "No exception. If it's for infant 36 months or less we will count it against the two can limit (cans in HK are 900g). Prescription in Australia or anywhere else in the world is irrelevant to us. In practice we will allow two cans per adult *plus a third can if it is opened and partially consumed*."
Me: "the third can is really a convenience right?"
Hk officer: "yes"
Me: "Just one more. It doesn't matter if the milk is not made of dairy right (I elaborated it as liquid with extracted fat - I really can't translate amino acids into Cantonese, not having attended local school here)"
Hk officer: "I dooooon't...think that matters"
Me: "Nourishes the child" right?
Hk officer: "Yes"
HK officer: "Can you suggest your SIL do this? Land in hk, take the airport ferry to Shekou so she never enters HK border on the way in, road travel from Shekou to Guangzhou first then come down? They (china customs) don't care how many cans she brings in *or out*, and we don't care how many can she brings in, only out"
Me: "Great hint. I must pass it on".
Me: "My SIL is taking my nephew from Sydney to here and then to Guangzhou. She's contemplating bringing 8 cans of powder. They are prescribed in Aus, but I don't think they are prescribed in HK. Can she?"
HK officer: "No exception. If it's for infant 36 months or less we will count it against the two can limit (cans in HK are 900g). Prescription in Australia or anywhere else in the world is irrelevant to us. In practice we will allow two cans per adult *plus a third can if it is opened and partially consumed*."
Me: "the third can is really a convenience right?"
Hk officer: "yes"
Me: "Just one more. It doesn't matter if the milk is not made of dairy right (I elaborated it as liquid with extracted fat - I really can't translate amino acids into Cantonese, not having attended local school here)"
Hk officer: "I dooooon't...think that matters"
Me: "Nourishes the child" right?
Hk officer: "Yes"
HK officer: "Can you suggest your SIL do this? Land in hk, take the airport ferry to Shekou so she never enters HK border on the way in, road travel from Shekou to Guangzhou first then come down? They (china customs) don't care how many cans she brings in *or out*, and we don't care how many can she brings in, only out"
Me: "Great hint. I must pass it on".
Last edited by percysmith; Sep 13, 2014 at 1:08 pm