Hong Kong customs busted 1,043 unregistered medicine cases in 3 years
Hong Kong's Secretary for Health said customs handled 1,043 suspected illegal medicine import cases worth HK$364 million over three years. Health officials also detailed penalties and rules for personal-use exemptions.
Hong Kong's Secretary for Health, Dr Lo Chung-mau, told the Legislative Assembly on 21 October that the government has been cracking down on the illegal import or sale of unregistered pharmaceutical products. Over the past three years, the Customs and Excise Department has detected 1,043 suspected cases of illegal medicine imports, with seized goods valued at about HK$364 million. Prosecution has been initiated in 140 of those cases.
In a written reply to a lawmaker's question, Dr Lo said that between January 2023 and September 2026, the Department of Health handled 108 convictions for selling or possessing unregistered pharmaceutical products. The highest penalty imposed in those cases was 10 months' imprisonment or a fine of HK$242,000.
Dr Lo noted that the Import and Export (General) Regulations provide exemptions for travellers carrying a reasonable quantity of pharmaceutical products for personal use. Customs officers assess each case based on the circumstances, relevant information and product packaging, and may consult the Department of Health if needed. However, if the product is classified as a dangerous drug under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, an antibiotic under the Antibiotics Ordinance, or a Part I poison, a doctor's prescription is required to bring it across the border.