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[science_expat]

Has anyone transited through Hong Kong recently? The last time I did so was with Qantas about 1.5 years ago; we had to go through security upon exiting and then had our bags hand searched before boarding. So, no liquids greater than 100 mls. However, we were allowed to leave non-valuables on the plane and hence I arrived in Melbourne with water purchased in London.

Is this still the situation?

Cheers,
SE

[totoro]

Has anyone transited through Hong Kong recently? The last time I did so was with Qantas about 1.5 years ago; we had to go through security upon exiting and then had our bags hand searched before boarding. So, no liquids greater than 100 mls. However, we were allowed to leave non-valuables on the plane and hence I arrived in Melbourne with water purchased in London.

Is this still the situation?

Cheers,
SE

I can tell you about Singapore :)

They did a full security check getting back on the plane (Qantas from Frankfurt to Sydney). We couldn't leave anything on the plane as they cleaned it. This was in April.

[science_expat]

Thanks, I know about Singapore as I've been through there several times recently.

FWIW, you can buy water in Singapore and take it onboard but you have to get the shop to seal it in a plastic bag. Otherwise security will take it off you.

[secundem_artem]

Last September, I came in on an US based airline and connected through HKG on a small Asian based carrier to a third country in Asia.  I needed to take an airport train to get to make my connection and did need to re-clear security.  The security re-check was not much different than what one goes through in the US other than I got to keep my shoes on.  My hand luggage did not contain liquids other than what the TSA permits so that was not a problem.  There was no gate security check of hand luggage.  Overall, a pretty uneventful international connection.  And HKG is a pretty nice airport IMHO.

[scotia]

I have emailed one of my former students who is something senior at HK Airport. Unfortunately he has an out-of-office saying he is away and reading email only intermittently, so I am not sure whether I will get a response in time. In the meantime, the following is from HK Airport's FAQ:

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.


I suspect it is the last point that is key for most transit passengers from Australia/NZ/USA/Europe.

[science_expat]

Hi, all

We weren't allowed to leave anything on the plane and we had to go through security screening right off the plane - so there went the water. The trick, of course, is to keep an empty bottle.

I'm quite certain that our hand luggage will be searched for liquids when we board; will update you if this turns out not to be the case.

[science_expat]

Update - we were NOT searched getting on the plane.

[totoro]

Security rules are all random and different in every country... At Sydney airport on the way out this time (I'm in India) they were asking for volunteers to test a new body-scanning machine. So looks like that is coming to Australia soon.