Airport Security - Frequently Asked Questions

This post specifies the security dos and donts for general information. Although we endeavour to ensure the information is kept up to date, the allowances could change without notice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Liquids, Gels and Aerosols
Q1.	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.
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Q2.	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.
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Q3.	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.
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Transparent re-sealable plastic bag for passengers to carry allowable quantities of LAGs past the security control point at HKIA
Q4.	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.
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Q5.	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.
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Q6.	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.
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Q7.	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 and 2. 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.
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Contents of transparent re-sealable plastic bag containers
Q8.	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.
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Q9.	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.
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Q10.	Does the container need to be transparent? No.
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Q11.	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.
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Q12.	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.
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Q13.	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.
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Q14.	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.
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Exemptions for medication and baby milk / food
Q15.	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.
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Q16.	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.
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Q17.	How about baby milk powder formula? Powder formula is not classified as LAGs and the restriction does not apply.
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Q18.	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.
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Q19.	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.
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Shopping after security
Q20.	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.
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Q21.	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 Airways, Hong Kong Dragon Airlines, Hong Kong Express Airways 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.
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Others
Q22.	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.
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Q23.	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. http://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_CA/travel-information/baggage/restricted-items/prohibited-items.html

Prohibited Items

For safety and security reasons, dangerous goods such as those listed below, must not be carried in passenger's baggage (checked or unchecked):

• attaché briefcases with installed alarm devices; or incorporate lithium batteries and/or pyrotechnic material;
• explosives, munitions, fireworks, toy fireworks and flares;
• compressed gases (flammable, non-flammable or poisonous) such as butane, propane, aqualung cylinders, lighter fuels or refills, aerosols, chemical irritant aerosols;
• electric stunning device;
• flammable liquids such as paints, thinner, adhesives;
• flammable solids such as "strike anywhere matches", charcoal, phosphorus and articles which are easily ignited;
• oxidizing substances such as bleaching powder and peroxides;
• toxic substances, poisons such as arsenic, cyanides, insecticides, weedkillers;
• infectious substances such as biological products;
• radioactive materials;
• corrosive materials such as mercury (which may be contained in thermometers or blood pressure gauges), acids, alkalis and wet cell batteries;
• any other substances which, during a flight, present a danger not covered above, such as magnetized, offensive or irritating materials.

Medicines and toiletries in limited quantities which are necessary for your journey, such as hair sprays, perfumes and medicines containing alcohol, may be carried on board. Further information is available on request.

Inflated objects

Inflated objects, including inflated balls for sporting purposes such as basketballs, are restricted to be carried on board unless those objects have been fully deflated before boarding.

Restricted Articles

Please contact our reservations office for further information. Harpoons and spear guns are classified as arms. Examples of a restricted article would include:

·         Lighters and Matches
With the exception of China, Bangladesh, India and the US, a passenger can carry one small packet of safety matches or a cigarette lighter on one’s person, which is intended for use by the individual only.

China, Bangladesh, and India 
Passengers travelling from these three countries are not allowed to carry any lighters and matches onboard or in any baggage (checked or unchecked).

United States
Passengers travelling to/from the USA are not allowed to carry any torch lighters onboard or in any baggage (checked or unchecked).

Note: No lighter fuel or lighter refills can be permitted on the person or in the checked/unchecked baggage.

Please refer to the TSA website for more information.

·         knives (including hunting knives, swords), scissors and any other sharp objects (eg ice-pick, ski poles, hiking poles) considered illegal by local law and;

·         Firearms/Ammunition, including pistols, signal pistols, rifles, shotguns, air rile/guns, sterling guns, c.s. pistols, Remington, humane killers, bolt guns, flare pistols, toy rifles/pistols, toy air rifles/pistols, toy pistol caps and starting pistols, ammunition, replica or imitation firearms, crossbows.

The importation into Hong Kong of arms and ammunition is governed by laws, which require import licences or permits to be issued in advance by the authorities concerned.

·         Explosive material, including military, commercial or home-made explosive, explosive devices, detonators, smoke cartridges, bullet bombs, grenades, missiles, magazines (gun part) mines and other explosive military ordinance, replica or imitation explosive material or devices.

·         Pointed or bladed items made or adapted to cause injury, flick knives (or any knife operated in the same manner, mechanically or electrically), gravity catch knives, stilettos, daggers, kukris, Chinese/Japanese style throwing dart, Gurkha knives (butterfly knives), other knives both real or ceremonial with blades of any length or description, including sheath knives, kirpans and skeandhus, open razors, scalpels, ice picks, swords, sword sticks, ski poles, hiking poles, umbrellas containing sword blades or arrows, any bladed or pointed weapon designed to be used in a fashion whereby the handle is held in a clenched fist and the blade or point protrudes between the fingers or fists (e.g. knuckle duster).

·         Items containing incapacitating substances, including tear gas, mace and phosphorous acids.

·         Highly inflammable substances (e.g. petrol, lighter fuel, etc.)

·         Gas containers and aerosols with a capacity of more than 500 millilitres.

·         Knuckle-dusters (with or without blade, spiked or not spiked), clubs, coshes, rice flails, including, truncheon (spring operated baton), two-section staffs, Mace (baton), hand/thumb-cuffs, gravity-operated batons, Chinese style fighting iron, spring loaded steel batons,

Please click here for Security Checks Requirement.

For passengers travelling to, from or transiting in Hong Kong, please refer to CAD website & HK Police website for more information.

For latest update and further information, you can visit The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website and Heathrow Airport (BAA) website.

EU Prohibited Articles

Passengers are not permitted to carry the following articles into security restricted areas and on board the cabin of an aircraft. Articles prohibited in passenger’s hold baggage are additionally marked with an asterisk (*).

(a) Guns, firearms and other devices that discharge projectiles — Devices capable, or appearing capable, of being used to cause serious injury by discharging a projectile,

including:

·         firearms of all types, such as pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns,

·         toy guns, replicas and imitation firearms capable of being mistaken for real weapons,

·         component parts of firearms, excluding telescopic sights,

·         compressed air and CO2 guns, such as pistols, pellet guns, rifles and ball bearing guns,

·         signal flare pistols and starter pistols,

·         bows, cross bows and arrows,

·         harpoon guns and spear guns,

·         slingshots and catapults;

(b) Stunning devices — Devices designed specifically to stun or immobilise,

including:

·         devices for shocking, such as stun guns, tasers and stun batons,

·         animal stunners and animal killers,

·         disabling and incapacitating chemicals, gases and sprays, such as mace, pepper sprays, capsicum sprays, tear gas, acid sprays and animal
repellent sprays;

(c) Objects with a sharp point or sharp edge — Objects with a sharp point or sharp edge capable of being used to cause serious injury,

including:

·         items designed for chopping, such as axes, hatchets and cleavers,

·         ice axes and ice picks,

·         razor blades,

·         box cutters,

·         knives with blades of more than 6 cm*

·         scissors with blades of more than 6 cm as measured from the fulcrum,

·         martial arts equipment with a sharp point or sharp edge,

·         swords and sabres;

* carrying certain knives without a reasonable excuse may be a criminal offence. If you encounter a knife such as a butterfly, flick or lock knife of any length police assistance should be sought in line with local procedures

(d) Workmen’s tools — Tools capable of being used either to cause serious injury or to threaten the safety of aircraft,

including:

·         crowbars,

·         drills and drill bits, including cordless portable power drills,

·         tools with a blade or a shaft of more than 6 cm capable of use as a

·         weapon, such as screwdrivers and chisels,

·         saws, including cordless portable power saws,

·         blowtorches,

·         bolt guns and nail guns;

(e) Blunt instruments — Objects capable of being used to cause serious injury when used to hit,

including:

·         baseball and softball bats,

·         clubs and batons, such as billy clubs, blackjacks and night sticks,

·         martial arts equipment;

(f) Explosives and incendiary substances and devices — Explosives and incendiary substances and devices capable, or appearing capable, of being used to cause serious injury or to pose a threat to the safety of aircraft,

including:

·         ammunition,*

·         blasting caps,*

·         detonators and fuses,*

·         replica or imitation explosive devices,

·         mines, grenades and other explosive military stores,*

·         fireworks and other pyrotechnics*

·         smoke-generating canisters and smoke-generating cartridges,*

·         dynamite, gunpowder and plastic explosives.*

* These articles are additionally prohibited from carriage in passenger’s hold baggage.

Examples of dangerous goods prohibited in cabin baggage on safety grounds

include:

·         Flammable or harmful gases (such as camping gas, glazing torches)

·         Flammable liquids (lighter fluid, petrol, diesel)

·         Flammable solids (such as non-safety matches, disposable BBQ, coal,

·         firelighters)

·         Oxidisers (e.g. bleach)

·         Poisons (e.g. pesticides, weed killer)

·         Corrosives (car or other wet batteries, mercury)

·         Biological or Chemical hazardous materials

The CAA Dangerous Goods Office have produced a guide entitled “What Can I Carry?” containing guidance and further details on the most encountered dangerous and prohibited items.

Products of animal origin are prohibited to be brought into the European Union (EU)

Products of animal origin may carry pathogens that can cause infectious diseases in animals. Passengers* are not allowed to bring any consignment of meat / meat products, or milk / milk products into EU, with the exception of up to 2 kilograms of powdered infant milk, infant food, or special foods/special pet feed required for medical purpose, provided that -

·         The product does not require refrigeration before consumption;

·         It is a product of packaged proprietary brand and

·         The packaging is not broken.

For fishery products (including fish and certain shellfish such as prawns, lobsters, dead mussels and dead oysters), passengers** are allowed to bring in such products up to 20 kilograms in total, or one fish that weighs 20 kilograms or over.

* Except those arriving from Croatia, the Faeroe Islands, Greenland, or Iceland with less than 10 kilograms of such products for personal consumption.

** No weight restriction for those arriving from Faeroe Islands or Iceland.

For updates and more details, please visit the European Commission Food Safety website athttp://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/animalproducts/personal_imports/index_en.htm