Milk powder limits to start on March 1
The new measures to restrict the amount of milk powder a traveller can bring across the border will take effect next month, the health minister says. From March 1, people leaving the city will be limited to taking two cans, or 1.8kg, of infant formula, Food and Health Bureau Secretary Dr Ko Wing-man said yesterday, after the amendment to the import and export law was gazetted.
The new measures to restrict the amount of milk powder a traveller can bring across the border will take effect next month, the health minister says.
From March 1, people leaving the city will be limited to taking two cans, or 1.8kg, of infant formula, Food and Health Bureau Secretary Dr Ko Wing-man said yesterday, after the amendment to the import and export law was gazetted.
Under the new law, the person with the milk powder must be at least 16 years old and must not have left the city in the last 24 hours. Offenders face up to two years' jail and a fine of up to HK$500,000.
"There are opinions saying that the measures will affect the city's reputation as a free port," said Ko. "But [they are] the only means to ensure the supply of infant formula in the long term."
There are opinions saying that the measures will affect the city's reputation as a free port. But [they are] the only means to ensure the supply of infant formula in the long term
Parallel-goods trading activities have quietened in recent weeks, and the shortage on popular brands of milk powder has also ceased, local mothers said.
