For many Hong Kong travellers, returning from Seoul without a pack of authentic kimchi feels like an incomplete trip. Yet, a staggering 2024 report from Incheon International Airport reveals just how easily this popular souvenir gets travelers into trouble. Last year alone, airport security seized over 10.7 tonnes of kimchi from carry-on luggage, ranking it among the most commonly confiscated food items at the hub.
Why is Kimchi Getting Seized?
The problem isn’t the fermented cabbage itself, but the liquid it’s packed in. Global aviation regulations enforced by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) strictly limit carry-on liquids to containers of 100 milliliters. Pre-packaged kimchi, often sold in vacuum-sealed pouches or brine-filled jars, almost always exceeds this volume. The result is a disappointed traveler watching their carefully chosen gift get pulled aside at the security checkpoint.
Interestingly, Incheon Airport does not destroy these seized goods. According to reports cited by CNN Travel, the confiscated food is donated to local community welfare centers, ensuring it doesn’t go to waste. The volume is immense—kimchi and soy sauce together accounted for over 21 tonnes of confiscated items in 2024.
How to Successfully Bring Kimchi to Hong Kong
The good news is that you absolutely can bring kimchi home. You just need to change your packing strategy. Here are the three most effective ways to do it legally and safely:
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Pack It in Checked Luggage
The simplest and most reliable method is transferring your kimchi to your checked suitcase. Placing it in the cargo hold completely bypasses the 100ml carry-on liquid rule. For safety, use a sturdy, leak-proof plastic container rather than a glass jar, which can shatter under the pressure of the aircraft hold. -
Declare It to Hong Kong Customs
If you are bringing back a large quantity—particularly more than what is considered a personal gift—you are required to declare it upon arrival. Hong Kong Customs and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) may need to inspect the goods to ensure they meet import standards. -
Prepare for Biosecurity Quarantine
Kimchi is not just a vegetable product. Traditional recipes contain fermented shrimp (saeujeot) and fish sauce, classifying it as an animal product. These ingredients make the item subject to strict biosecurity regulations. Failing to declare it could result in fines or confiscation by Hong Kong authorities.
A Takeaway for Travelers
The intent behind these rules isn’t to spoil your souvenir shopping, but to maintain safety and biosecurity across borders. For the average traveler, simply moving kimchi from your hand luggage to your checked bag is enough to breeze through Incheon’s departure gates. For those buying in bulk or using specialty recipes, taking a moment to review Hong Kong’s AFCD guidelines before your flight can save a lot of heartache.
Understanding these simple travel hacks means your Korean food adventure can extend past the flight and right onto your dinner table in Hong Kong.