Contact Us
Home
/
Passengers
/
Contact Us
/
Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

BaggageShow AllHide All
Customs RequirementsShow AllHide All
Immigration - Hong KongShow AllHide All
Immigration - Mainland ChinaShow AllHide All
Ticketing and Flight InformationShow AllHide All
Air Passenger Departure TaxShow AllHide All
BaggageShow AllHide All
Check-inShow AllHide All
Immigration - Mainland ChinaShow AllHide All
Restricted ItemsShow AllHide All
Ticketing and Flight InformationShow AllHide All
Transfer / TransitShow AllHide All
Ancillary Passenger ServicesShow AllHide All
Business / Internet FacilitiesShow AllHide All
Hotel / LoungeShow AllHide All
Lost and FoundShow AllHide All
Other Terminal FacilitiesShow AllHide All
Shopping and DiningShow AllHide All
Connection with Mainland ChinaShow AllHide All
Connection with MacaoShow AllHide All
To and From AirportShow AllHide All
SecurityShow AllHide All
  • 1. What exactly are liquids, gels and aerosols (LAGs)?

    LAGs include:

    • drinks, including water, soup, syrup, jams, stews, sauces and pastes;
    • foods in sauces or containing a high liquid content;
    • creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, cosmetics, including mascara, lip gloss, lip balm, etc;
    • sprays and pressurised containers, including shaving foam and spray deodorants;
    • pastes, including toothpastes;
    • gels, including hair and shower gel;
    • liquid-solid mixtures;
    • any other items of similar consistency at room temperature.
    • 2. Can I take water / drinks / foods with liquids through the security screening point at HKIA?

      Not unless they are in containers no larger than 100ml and placed in a clear re-sealable plastic bag with maximum capacity of 1 litre. To avoid inconvenience, passengers can purchase water or other drinks in shops after security and airlines do provide water during the flight.

      • 3. What will happen to LAGs items and containers that cannot be brought through the security screening checkpoint?

        All such items will be disposed. To facilitate the security screening process and avoid unnecessary disposal of your LAGs at the security screening checkpoint, passengers should pack any LAGs that are not required for the flight in the hold baggage.

        • 4. Is there any specific requirement on the shape or size of the transparent re-sealable plastic bag?

          We recommend passengers use a bag with dimensions of 20cm by 20cm (8 inches by 8 inches), the capacity of which does not exceed 1 litre. This type of plastic bag is the most common one that has been used where the measures have been implemented since August 2006, e.g. in US and EU.

          • 5. Can I use other plastic bag other than those specified?

            It is acceptable as long as the plastic bag is transparent, re-sealable and no larger than 1-litre capacity.

            • 6. Where can I get such a transparent, re-sealable plastic bag of the required size?

              Such bags are commonly available in supermarkets and household product stores.

              • 7. What if I arrive at the airport without a bag?

                Such bags are readily available at supermarkets and household product stores in Hong Kong. If you arrive at the airport unprepared, then such bags can be purchased at the convenience stores and the pharmacies in Terminal 1. Please re-pack those essential LAGs you require to take with you into the aircraft cabin. All other LAGs should be re-packed into your hold bag, subject to IATA Dangerous Goods Regulation, before you check in.

                • 8. Is there a restriction on the number of containers I can put into the 1-litre plastic bag?

                  No. Each container however must be 100ml or less and all of them must fit “comfortably” in the 1-litre plastic bag. Normally, a 1-litre plastic bag can comfortably fit five 100ml containers. Containers over 100ml with liquids and those that cannot fit into the 1-litre bag will have to be discarded at the screening check point.

                  • 9. Do the liquids have to be in their original containers?

                    No. LAGs can be stored in any container as long as the size of such container does not exceed 100 ml.

                    • 10. Does the container need to be transparent?

                      No.

                      • 11. Can I take liquids in containers larger than 100ml?

                        Not in the cabin baggage. They have to be packed in your baggage that you check-in to the aircraft hold. Oversized containers will not be allowed past the security point and you will be asked to dispose of them.

                        • 12. I wear disposable contact lenses. Can I carry spare sets in my hand baggage?

                          You may carry a couple of spare pairs in your cabin baggage, provided that they can fit into a 1-litre plastic bag. The packages need to be sealed. Beyond that, you should pack in your hold baggage.

                          • 13. Can I take my lipstick and deodorants on board?

                            Yes. You can take on board all solid cosmetics and so a standard lipstick would be acceptable as would solid deodorants. You can also take atomiser / cream / roll-on deodorants, lip gloss in containers up to 100ml. These will need to go in a 1-litre plastic bag. Oversized containers will not be allowed past the security point and you will be asked to dispose of them.

                            • 14. Do toothpaste and shaving foam qualify as LAGs?

                              Yes. Such items need to be in containers of not more than 100ml and placed inside your 1-litre plastic bag. Oversized containers will not be allowed past the security point and you will be asked to dispose of them.

                              • 15. What is the exemption for medication in LAG form?

                                LAG form medication, including Chinese medicine and "off-the-shelf" LAG medication such as cough syrup or contact lens solution, is exempted from the 100ml requirement. Passengers are allowed to take essential medicines sufficient for the flight. To facilitate the screening process, it is recommended that LAG form medication amounts under 100ml be placed in a 1-litre transparent re-sealable plastic bag, with other liquids. If the container is larger than 100ml, it should be presented separately to security for x-ray inspection. Passengers may be asked to provide verification for the product, such as a doctor's letter, proof of prescription or passenger's name printed on the label of the medicine.

                                To avoid inconvenience at the security screening point, passengers should pack medication in LAG form that is not required for the flight into the hold baggage.

                                • 16. Is there a restriction on the amount of baby milk / juice / food that I can carry through the screening point?

                                  Baby milk / juice / food in LAGs form is exempted from the 100ml requirement and there is no specific limitation on the amount. Passengers are allowed to take sufficient amount for the flight. To facilitate the screening process, it is recommended that amounts under 100ml be placed in a 1-litre plastic bag, with other liquids. If the container is larger than 100ml, it should be presented separately to security for x-ray inspection. Your accompanying baby should be present at the security screening check point.

                                  To avoid inconvenience at the security screening point, passengers should pack the baby milk / juice / food of your accompanying baby that is not required for the flight into the hold baggage.

                                  • 17. How about baby milk powder formula?

                                    Powder formula is not classified as LAGs and the restriction does not apply.

                                    • 18. What if security screening staff do not accept that the medication / baby product is a reasonable quantity?

                                      Security screening staff have the final say regarding what items are allowed through the screening point. If the security officer decides that you are attempting to take unreasonable amounts of non-prescription medication or baby products through the screening point, you may be asked to surrender some or all of these products. If you fail to do so, you will not be allowed to proceed through the screening point.

                                      • 19. What about diabetic passengers?

                                        No change to existing arrangements. Diabetic passengers are allowed to carry sufficient insulin and hypodermic needles necessary for in-flight use, subject to provision of medical evidence.

                                        Should the diabetic passengers need to bring their own dietary food in containers more than 100ml e.g. juice with no sugar added, for in-flight use, they are allowed to do so but is subject to provision of medical evidence. The exempted item should also be presented separately to security for x-ray inspection.

                                        • 20. Can passengers bring liquid items purchased at HKIA onto their departing flight?

                                          Generally passengers can take liquid items purchased at shops, located beyond the security screening check points, at HKIA onto their departing flight. However, if such passengers are taking United State or Australian bound flights or have to transfer to another flight at the next port of call, they should check with their airlines on the requirements for carriage of liquid purchases.

                                          • 21. Can transfer passengers bring their liquid items purchased at the airport at their previous port of call or on board aircraft through the transfer security screening point at HKIA?

                                            Yes, if such items are in containers no larger than 100ml and placed in a tranparent re-sealable plastic bag with maximum capacity of 1 litre .

                                            Liquid purchases that are in excess of 100ml may be allowed through the security screening point at HKIA upon satisfactory checks if they meet the following requirements:

                                            • purchased from airports which have implemented the new requirements on the control of liquids (passengers are advised to check with their airlines on local requirements adopted at different countries) ; or
                                            • purchased on board Hong Kong registered aircraft (Cathay Pacific, Cathay Dragon, Hong Kong Express and Hong Kong Airlines); or
                                            • purchased on board non-Hong Kong registered aircraft whose previous port of call is an airport which has implemented the new requirements on the control of liquids; and
                                            • liquid purchases are packed in a sealed plastic bag that is both tamper-evident and display satisfactory proof of purchase on the day(s) of the journey.

                                            NOTE: Individual destinations or airlines may have different requirements on the carriage of liquids, aerosols and gels. Please check with your airlines or travel agents in advance.

                                            • 22. What do I need to do with my transparent re-sealable plastic bag?

                                              Have it ready for inspection at security. Ensure it is fastened closed and kept separate from your hand baggage in order to facilitate security checks.

                                              • 23. What else can I do to help speed up the process?

                                                We recommend passengers arrive at the airport in good time. Passengers should check in their items that are not needed for in-flight and have their 1-litre plastic bag and / or any exempted items ready for inspection.

                                                Passengers should comply fully with the instructions of the security screening officers who have the final decision regarding what liquids, aerosols and gels that are unacceptable beyond the screening point. Those who fail to comply with the instructions will not be allowed to pass the security control point and may therefore be unable to board their flights. Proceeding past the security control point without complying fully with all security requirements is liable to police arrest and criminal prosecution.

                                                It is the duty of the security screening officers to ensure that the Hong Kong aviation security requirements are met and that all passengers are as secure as possible. Passengers’ cooperation in complying with all security requirements will ensure safe air travel for all.