Regulations limiting the purchase of HK baby formula
Regulations limiting the purchase of Hong Kong baby formula (香港奶粉限购令) by parents from the Chinese mainland were enacted March 1, 2013. Limitations are intended to counteract mainland parents’ bulk purchases of Hong Kong formula, which in the past had resulted in an insufficient supply for local babies. Domestic formulas have become unpopular with mainland parents after a series of scandals, like the 2008 melamine scandal, revealed the powder to be contaminated.
According to the regulations, individuals older than 16 may leave Hong Kong with no more than 1.8 kilograms of baby formula (equivalent to two cans of 900 grams milk powder). Any more than that must be reported to Customs. Violators could face fines of up to HK$ 500,000 (US$64,450.94) and two-year imprisonment.
According to a July 2013 report from China Business News, sales of baby formula had declined sharply in the four months since limitations were implemented.
