Local laws that catch crew out in Hong Kong

Cannabidiol has been listed as a dangerous drug under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance since 1 February 2023. Possession or consumption carries a maximum of seven years and a HK$1 million fine. Trafficking, which the Narcotics Division states expressly includes importing and exporting, carries a maximum of life imprisonment and a HK$5 million fine.

Vapes and heated tobacco are contraband. No person may import an alternative smoking product, including by bringing one in as an incoming traveller: the penalty is up to HK$500,000 and two years on summary conviction, or HK$2 million and seven years on indictment. Since 30 April 2026 possessing e-cigarette capsules, liquids, heat sticks or herbal cigarettes in a public place has been an offence, with a HK$3,000 fixed penalty within the specified limits of five capsules or 5 mL of substance, 100 heat sticks or 100 herbal cigarettes, and a maximum HK$50,000 fine and six months above them.

Smoking in a statutory no smoking area is a HK$3,000 fixed penalty. The designated areas include any public bus, public light bus, taxi, MTR train, light rail vehicle, tramway car, peak tram car or ferry vessel, plus indoor areas of all restaurants, bars and workplaces, public pleasure grounds, bathing beaches, public swimming pools and stadiums. From 1 January 2026 the ban extends to within three metres outside the entrances and exits of schools, hospitals, childcare centres, residential care homes and specified clinics and health centres.

Carry your passport. Section 17C of the Immigration Ordinance empowers immigration and police officers to require a person to produce proof of identity for inspection, which for a visitor means a valid travel document. Failing to do so is an offence carrying a fine at level 2, and the police note that an officer may bring the person to a police station for further enquiry.

Visa-free entry to Hong Kong runs from 7 days to 180 days depending on nationality, and it is permission to enter Hong Kong. The Immigration Department's own rules treat the Chinese Mainland and Macao as separate destinations, exempting from the onward-ticket requirement only those in transit to them, and it advises checking individual cases with a Chinese diplomatic or consular mission. Do not treat a day trip to Shenzhen as a domestic hop.