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Controlled and Banned Items

For safety and security of our passengers, crew and aircraft, the items in the below categories are either restricted or prohibited to board our flights, in accordance with the dangerous goods regulations of International Aviation Transport Association (IATA) and the rules of HK Express. We suggest you to always check local airport information before you fly since regulations may vary by country. If you are traveling to US territories, please check the website of the US Transport Security Administration (TSA) for details. Some items may fall into more than one category so please read the below information carefully.

When flying on our airline partners, please visit their website for more details.

Liquids and powder-like substances

Passenger is allowed to bring liquids and powder-like substances in your checked or Carry On baggage as long as they are within the limitation as stated in below table. Please note that airport security personnel will remove items that do not meet these requirements before you fly.

Item Checked baggage Carry-on baggage

Liquids, Gels or Aerosols (LAGs)
(E.g. Toiletries, Liquid medicines, Beverages, Creams & Food items)

Allowed and without limitation

  1. LAGs must not exceed a max. volume of 100ml for each container.
  2. LAGs must be packed in a transparent, re-sealable plastic bag with a total capacity of up to 1L
  3. Each person may carry 1 bag of LAGs
  4. Bag must be presented separately from Carry On baggage for security screening

Exemption (even exceeded the usual limitation):

  • Baby food and milk
  • Sterilised water stored in baby bottles
  • Liquid Medicine (Syrup)

All Subject to the inspection by local airport security

Alcoholic Beverages

  1. >24% but < 70% alcohol by volume;
  2. in receptacles not exceeding 5L;
  3. total net quantity, in both checked and carry on baggage, per person of 5L

Note:

  • < 24% alcohol volume – no quantity limitation
  • > 70% alcohol volume - prohibited

If alcoholic beverages are purchased after security screening,

  1. >24% but < 70% alcohol by volume;
  2. in receptacles not exceeding 5L;
  3. total net quantity, in both checked and carry on baggage, per person of 5L

If alcoholic beverages are purchased prior security screening,

  1. LAG limitation for Carry On baggage applies

Note:

  • < 24% alcohol volume – no quantity limitation
  • > 70% alcohol volume - prohibited

Insulated Packaging containing Refrigerated Liquid Nitrogen

Not Allowed

Non-Radioactive Medicinal or Toiletry Articles (including Aerosols)
(E.g. Hair sprays, perfumes, cleaning products, medicine-containing alcohol, non-flammable, non-toxic aerosols with no subsidiary hazard for sporting or home use, alcohol-based disinfectant and sanitizer products)

  1. Max. 2 kg or 2L per person; and
  2. Each single item must not exceed 0.5kg or 0.5L
  3. Item(s) must be protected by a cap or other suitable means to prevent inadvertent release of the contents

Note:

  • Other restrictions to LAGs apply to carry-on baggage during the security screening

Powder-like substances
(E.g. Powdered formula)

*Restriction applies to flights operating in or out from the US territories

Allowed and without limitation

  1. Total volume of the powder-like substances limited to 350ml (12oz)

Exemption (even exceeded the usual limitation):

  • Powdered formula for feeding baby
  • Cremated human remains
  • Medically prescribed items with doctor certificate

All Subject to the inspection by local airport security

Ammunitions and Weapons

Item Checked baggage Carry-on baggage

Blunt Instruments
(e.g. Baseball bats, softball bats, billiard, pool cues, cricket bats, hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks, golf clubs, clubs, batons, knuckledusters, clubs, coshes, rice flails, num chucks, kubatons and kubasaunts)

Allowed

Not allowed

Explosives and Incendiary Substances and Devices
(e.g. ammunition, blasting caps, detonators, fuses, replica or imitation explosive devices, mines, grenades, other explsive military stores, fireworks, party poopers, toy caps, smoke-generating conisters or cartridges, dynamite, gunpowder and plastic explosives)

Not allowed

Guns, Firearms and Other Devices Discharge Projectile
(e.g. Pistols revolvers, rifles, shotguns, component parts of firearms, compressed air and CO2 guns, signal flare pistols, starter pistols, bows, arrows, harpoon guns, spear guns, slingshot, ball bearing guns)

Not allowed

Objects with Sharp Points or Sharp Edges
(e.g. Axes, hatchets cleavers, ice axes, ice picks, ice skates, razor blades, open razors, utility knives, box cutters, knives, lockable or flick knives, scissors, martial arts equipment with shapr points or sharp edges, swords and sabres, darts and ski poles)

Allowed

Not allowed

Stunning Devices
(e.g. Stun guns, stun batons, animal stunners and animal killers, mace, pepper or capsicum spray, tear gas, acid sprays and animal repellent sprays)

Not allowed

Worker’s Tools
(e.g. Crowbars, drills, drills bits, screwdrivers chisels, saws, blowtorches, blot guns, nail guns, hammers, pliers, wrenches, spanners)

Allowed

Not allowed

Batteries

HKE accepts certain types of batteries in checked or Carry On baggage with restrictions as listed in the following table. For passenger who owned a battery-powered wheelchair, please refer to the special assistance for more details.

Important Notice:

Apple has recently initiated a battery recall programme for MacBook Pro Retina, 15-inch units that were sold between Sep 2015 and Feb 2017 due to the batteries’ potential overheating and fire risk. This recall programme applies to selected serial numbers only which can be verified on Apple Inc’s Website. As such, Passengers are advised not to bring said devices which contain lithium batteries identified under the above-mentioned recall programme on board an aircraft, until they have been repaired as per the manufacturer’s advice.

Item Checked baggage Carry-on baggage

Batteries, spare/loose,
including lithium batteries, non-spillable batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries and dry batteries for portable electronic device.
(e.g. Power banks, which primarily used as power source are treated as spare batteries)

Not allowed

  1. Max. 20 spare batteries per person;
  2. Must be individually protected to prevent short circuits by placement in the original retail packaging or by otherwise insulating terminals. For example, by taping over exposed terminals, or placing each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch.
  3. For lithium metal batteries, the content must not exceed 2g;
  4. For lithium-ion batteries, Watt-hour must not exceed 100Wh
  5. For non-spillable batteries
  1. Max. 2 spare batteries per person;
  2. The voltage of each battery must not exceed 12V and the watt-hour must not exceed 100Wh;
  3. The battery must not contain any free or unabsorbed liquid
  4. Each spare battery must be protected from short circuit by insulation of the battery terminals

Fuel Cell and Fuel cells cartridges, spare

Not allowed

Large lithium batteries exceeding 160Wh (except Mobility Aids)

Not allowed

Lithium batteries, spare/loose, for consumer electronic devices (PED) or portable medical electronic devices (PMED)

Not allowed

  1. Max. 2 lithium-ion batteries with Watt-hour exceeding 100Wh but not exceeding 160Wh; or
  2. Max. 2 lithium metal batteries with a lithium metal content exceeding 2g but not exceeding 8g.
  3. Lithium metal batteries are only permitted for PMED.
  4. Spare batteries must be individually protected to prevent short circuits.

Battery-Powered Devices

Item Checked baggage Carry-on baggage

Baggage with installed lithium batteries – Non-Removable battery (e.g. Smart Baggage)

Not allowed

Baggage with installed lithium batteries - Removable Battery (e.g. Smart Baggage)

  1. Batteries must be removed from the baggage and the lithium battery must be individually protected;
  2. Removable battery must be carried in the cabin

e-Cigarettes (including e‐cigars, e‐pipes, other personal vaporizers)

Not allowed

  1. Max. 1 unit per person;
  2. Must be individually protected to prevent accidental activation

Portable Electronic Devices (PED) /Portable Medical Electronic Devices (PMED) containing lithium metal or lithium ion cells or batteries. (e.g. Mobile phone, Laptop and Portable Oxygen Concentrators)

  1. Max. 15 PEDs/PMEDs per person;
  2. All devices in checked baggage must be completely switched off and protected from damage;
  3. For PEDs with lithium metal batteries, the lithium metal content must not exceed 2g;
  4. For PMEDs with lithium metal batteries, the lithium metal content must not exceed 8g;
  5. For lithium ion batteries, watt-hour must not exceed 160Wh

Radioisotopic cardia pacemakers or other devices, including those powered by lithium batteries, implanted into a person or fitted externally

Allowed on one’s person

Small vehicles powered by lithium batteries (e.g. Self-balancing scooter, AirWheel, SoloWheel)

Not allowed

Battery-Powered Wheelchair and Mobility Aids

Item Checked baggage Carry-on baggage

Battery-powered wheelchairs or other similar mobility devices with lithium ion batteries

  1. The batteries must be of a type which meets requirements of each test in UN Manual of Tests and criteria, Part III, Subsection 38.3.
  2. The battery terminals are protected from short circuits. For example, by being enclosed within a battery container;
  3. The battery is either security attached to the wheelchair/mobility aid and the electrical circuits are isolated or removed by the user following the manufacturer’s instructions;
  1. The removed lithium ion battery(ies) from the mobility aid must not exceed 300Wh.
  2. Max. 1 spare lithium ion battery not exceeding 300Wh; or
  3. Max. 2 spare lithium ion batteries each not exceeding 160 Wh.

Battery-powered wheelchairs or other similar mobility devices with non-spillable wet batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries or dry batteries

  1. The wheelchair/mobility aid must be prepared for transport to prevent unintentional activation;
  2. Non-spillable batteries are not permitted to contain any free or unabsorbed liquid.
  3. The battery terminals are protected from short circuits. For example, by being enclosed within a battery container;
  4. The battery is either security attached to the wheelchair/mobility aid and the electrical circuits are isolated or removed by the user following the manufacturer’s instructions;

For non-spillable wet batteries

  1. Max. 1 spare non-spillable wet battery per person

For nickel-metal hydride batteries or dry batteries

  1. Max. 2 spare nickel-metal hydride batteries per person

Not allowed

Battery-powered wheelchairs or other similar mobility devices with spillable batteries

  1. The battery terminals are protected from short circuits. For example, by being enclosed within a battery container;
  2. The battery is fitted, where feasible, with spill-resistant vent caps;
  3. The battery is either security attached to the wheelchair/mobility aid and the electrical circuits are isolated or removed from the mobility aid following the manufacturer’s instructions when the mobility cannot be maintained in an upright position;
  4. The removed battery must be carried in strong and rigid packagings as follow:
  1. Packagings must be leak-tight and impervious to battery fluid;
  2. Batteries must be protected against short circuits, secured upright in these packagings and surrounded by compatible absorbent material sufficient to absorb the total liquid contents.

Not allowed

Flammable and Explosive Substances

Item Checked baggage Carry-on baggage

Camping stove and fuel container with or without fuel

Not allowed

Internal combustion or fuel cell engines

Not allowed

Lighter and matches including,


  • ‘Blue Flame’ lighters,
  • ‘Cigar’ lighters,
  • Lighters powered by a lithium battery,
  • Lighter fuel,
  • Lighter Refills,
  • ‘Strike anywhere’ matches

Not allowed

Lighter and matches including,

  • Safety lighter (one small packet),
  • Small cigarette lighter
  • Matches except the type of ‘strike anywhere’
  1. Max. 1 piece on one’s person.
  2. Do not contain unabsorbed liquid fuel, other than liquefied gas, intended for use by an individual when carried on the person

Specimens, non-infectious packed with small quantities of flammable liquid

Not allowed

Gases

Item Checked baggage Carry-on baggage

Gas Cartridges, small, non-flammable containing carbon dioxide or other suitable gas in Division 2.2 (non-flammable, non-toxic)

For self-inflating personal safety device, intended to be worn by person, such as life jacket and vest

  1. Maximum 2 safety devices per person;
  2. Each device must be fitted with no more than 2 small cartridges;
  3. Must be packed properly to avoid accidently activated;
  4. Limited to carbon dioxide or other suitable gas in Division 2.2 (Non-flammable, non-toxic gas) without a subsidiary hazard;
  5. Cartridges must be for inflation purpose;
  6. Maximum 2 spare cartridges per device

For other devices

  1. Maximum 4 small cartridges of carbon dioxide or other suitable gas in Division 2.2 (Non-flammable, non-toxic gas) without a subsidiary hazard;
  2. The water capacity of each cartridge must not exceed 50mL

Note: For carbon dioxide a gas cartridge with a water capacity of 50mL is equivalent to a 28g cartridge.

Gas cylinder, non-flammable, non-toxic worn for the operation of mechanical limbs

  1. Spare cylinders of a similar size if required to ensure an adequate supply for the duration of the journey

Hair styling equipment containing a hydrocarbon gas cartridge

Not allowed

Oxygen or air, gaseous cylinders required for medical use

Not allowed

Miscellaneous

Item Checked baggage Carry-on baggage

Avalanche rescue backpack

Not allowed

Chemical Agent Monitoring Equipment

Not allowed

Dry Ice (carbon dioxide, solid)

  1. Maximum 2.5kg per person for perishables goods;.
  2. The package permits the release of carbon dioxide gas;
  3. Checked baggage must be marked ‘dry ice’ or ‘carbon dioxide, solid’ and with the weight of dry ice indicated that there is 2.5kg or less dry ice.

Permeation Devices

Not allowed

Specimens, non-infectious packed with small quantities of flammable liquid.

Not allowed

Security-type cases(e.g. Cash boxes or cash bag incorporating dangerous goods such as lithium battery and/or pyrotechnic material)

Not allowed

Thermometer(Medical or clinical thermometer containing mercury for person use)

  1. Maximum 1 per person for personal use;
  2. Must be stored in protective case

Not allowed

Thermometer or Barometer, mercury filled carried by a representative of a government weather bureau or similar official agency

Not allowed

  1. The thermometer or barometer must be packed in a strong outer packaging;
  2. The packaging must have a sealed inner liner; or
  3. A bag of strong leak-proof and puncture-resistant material imperious to mercury, which will prevent escape of mercury from the packaging