Public Advisory for Filipinos Traveling to Hong Kong

24 May 2019 — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reiterates its warning to all Filipinos traveling to or transiting through Hong Kong as visitors, workers, or as residents to make sure they are not carrying restricted items in their hand-carried or checked-in luggage.

Stun guns, pepper spray and other devices such as tear gas, bullets, extendible batons, flick knives and knuckleduster are considered either as “prohibited weapons” or “arms” and therefore are restricted under either the Aviation Security Ordinance or the Firearms and Ammunition Ordinance of Hong Kong.

Travelers arrested with prohibited weapons are prosecuted under Section 10, Aviation Ordinance, Cap. 494, Laws of Hong Kong, which carries a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment and a fine of HK$100,000 while possession of stunning devices is prohibited under Section 13 (1) and (2) of Firearms and Ammunition Ordinance, Cap. 238, Laws of Hong Kong, where offenders are penalized with a maximum fine of HK$100,000 and a maximum sentence of 14 years imprisonment.

The Hong Kong authorities are strict with the enforcement of the said Ordinance. All hand-carried and checked-in luggage of passenger are subjected to security screening in the airport terminals.

A total of 20 Filipinos, mostly transiting via Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), have been penalized in 2018 for possession of these arms without license. END