Can anyone explain why people from the land of OZ heading home cannot buy or take duty free out of Hong Kong. And indeed are subject to a double search before boarding to make sure we don't?
Cause our all mighty government believes that some countries security screening is not up to standard.
Singapore, New Zealand, and the US are all exempt along with a handful of other airports but it mainly comes down each countrys level of secuirty screening.
Because in the past when you board the flight at Hong Kong airport there is an additional security check for liquids over 100ml. Hence you technically cannot buy alcohol at Duty Free shops. Don't know the rules now. Took CX101 two weeks ago and didn't have such check. Spooky.
I flew home from Colombo in August and there were no liquids check, didnt even have to take the plastic bag out with the 100ml liquids in it and others carried full bottles through. Have the rules changed?
Just recently they seem to have ditched the liquids check when boarding flights to Australia from HKG. My flights in June had the check, by September it was gone and no sign in October either.
I noticed that the secondary inspection seemed to be missing when I came home from HKG in late September.
In any case, you can buy duty free liquids just fine - the shops are well aware of the secondary checks on AU and US flights, and they will put it in a tamper-evident bag that the screening staff will inspect and let through if it hasn't been opened.
As other members have shared, there's no longer a liquid check at the boarding gate when flying from Hong Kong to Australia.
However, "duty-free" in Hong Kong is a misnomer, because there's no sales tax in Hong Kong to begin with (so no 'duty' to remove) - whether buying anything at the airport presents good value will ultimately depend on the price, because you're not saving any tax by doing so.
As other members have shared, there's no longer a liquid check at the boarding gate when flying from Hong Kong to Australia.
However, "duty-free" in Hong Kong is a misnomer, because there's no sales tax in Hong Kong to begin with (so no 'duty' to remove) - whether buying anything at the airport presents good value will ultimately depend on the price, because you're not saving any tax by doing so.
It is not the sales tax you are saving. It is the duty on alcohol. This link states a duty of 100% is payable when alcohol content is over 30%. In which case, the duty free savings are extremely large.
Hmm, that's interesting... when I've chatted with my friends in HK, they've said they don't bother buying the airport 'duty-free' because the price is the same (or better) outside, although they may not have considered alcohol duty.
That said, it all comes down to price - as in Australia, duty-free doesn't mean profit-free!
Your last sentence is the key Chris. The days of duty free being a cost saver does in the 1970s! The suppliers pay high rentals to the airports and charge high prices. Recently in Tokyo the whisky I bought at 7-11 was more expensive in the airport!
Flew QF118 last week 12/10 and while there is no secondary bag checks, the ban on buying anything over 100ml for flights from HK to Australia (and USA) remains in place.
I tried to buy cosmetics for Her Indoors and was thwarted at checkout. Managed to get it on arrival in Sydney. When asked the reason for the ban, staff just shrugged and said "only Australia and US".
The trick is to stick it in your back pocket and pull your shirt down as you pass through the bag search checkpoint. Like all airport security people, they are never the sharpest tools in the shed and you will find they have already fixed their gaze on the passenger behind you as you close your bag.
Of course there is the risk that somebody from DOTARS will be reading this and take action to stop it. But they will just write anoher procedure and that will solve the problem and protect Australia from evil people like you.
Hope that helps.
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on
Duty Free Hong Kong
shimero
shimero
Member since 25 Oct 2017
Total posts 3
Can anyone explain why people from the land of OZ heading home cannot buy or take duty free out of Hong Kong. And indeed are subject to a double search before boarding to make sure we don't?
henrus
henrus
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 23 Oct 2013
Total posts 766
Cause our all mighty government believes that some countries security screening is not up to standard.
Pallydou
Pallydou
Cathay Pacific - The Marco Polo Club
Member since 02 Jul 2018
Total posts 22
Because in the past when you board the flight at Hong Kong airport there is an additional security check for liquids over 100ml. Hence you technically cannot buy alcohol at Duty Free shops. Don't know the rules now. Took CX101 two weeks ago and didn't have such check. Spooky.
djtech
djtech
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Sep 2018
Total posts 375
Because australia has laws that prevent you from bringing excess liquids and agricultural items to protect australia apparently.
Peterb1960
Peterb1960
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 10 May 2016
Total posts 9
I flew home from Colombo in August and there were no liquids check, didnt even have to take the plastic bag out with the 100ml liquids in it and others carried full bottles through. Have the rules changed?
lionelhutz
lionelhutz
Member since 20 Jun 2014
Total posts 38
Just recently they seem to have ditched the liquids check when boarding flights to Australia from HKG. My flights in June had the check, by September it was gone and no sign in October either.
J.Bloggsworthy
J.Bloggsworthy
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 19 Jul 2017
Total posts 4
Chris C.
Chris C.
Member since 24 Apr 2012
Total posts 1,116
As other members have shared, there's no longer a liquid check at the boarding gate when flying from Hong Kong to Australia.
However, "duty-free" in Hong Kong is a misnomer, because there's no sales tax in Hong Kong to begin with (so no 'duty' to remove) - whether buying anything at the airport presents good value will ultimately depend on the price, because you're not saving any tax by doing so.
Grannular
Grannular
Member since 31 Mar 2014
Total posts 272
However, "duty-free" in Hong Kong is a misnomer, because there's no sales tax in Hong Kong to begin with (so no 'duty' to remove) - whether buying anything at the airport presents good value will ultimately depend on the price, because you're not saving any tax by doing so.
It is not the sales tax you are saving. It is the duty on alcohol. This link states a duty of 100% is payable when alcohol content is over 30%. In which case, the duty free savings are extremely large.
https://www.customs.gov.hk/en/trade_facilitation/dutiable/types/index.html
It is the same as duty free alcohol in Australia. The largest saving is not on the GST, but the alcohol duty/tax.
Unless I have missed something?
Chris C.
Chris C.
Member since 24 Apr 2012
Total posts 1,116
Hmm, that's interesting... when I've chatted with my friends in HK, they've said they don't bother buying the airport 'duty-free' because the price is the same (or better) outside, although they may not have considered alcohol duty.
That said, it all comes down to price - as in Australia, duty-free doesn't mean profit-free!
Steve987
Steve987
Member since 23 Feb 2015
Total posts 268
Your last sentence is the key Chris. The days of duty free being a cost saver does in the 1970s! The suppliers pay high rentals to the airports and charge high prices. Recently in Tokyo the whisky I bought at 7-11 was more expensive in the airport!
Norbert
Norbert
Member since 12 Oct 2018
Total posts 2
NO WAY that is the best news!
So now I don't have to take onboard a coat in which to smuggle water!
Now what about BKK?!
shimero
shimero
Member since 25 Oct 2017
Total posts 3
Thank you all, I tried to bring Duty Free out of HK in July but no go. in HK now so I will try again in a few days. I will let you know how I get on.
scotchnwry
scotchnwry
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 13 Apr 2016
Total posts 1
Flew QF118 last week 12/10 and while there is no secondary bag checks, the ban on buying anything over 100ml for flights from HK to Australia (and USA) remains in place.
Managed to get it on arrival in Sydney.
When asked the reason for the ban, staff just shrugged and said "only Australia and US".
hvanney
hvanney
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 17 Oct 2016
Total posts 10
The trick is to stick it in your back pocket and pull your shirt down as you pass through the bag search checkpoint. Like all airport security people, they are never the sharpest tools in the shed and you will find they have already fixed their gaze on the passenger behind you as you close your bag.