The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) quietly refreshed its Hong Kong travel advice on 22 July, and the notice remained current as of 23 July. The update reminds travellers that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region does not recognise dual nationality and treats British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) holders as Chinese citizens once they are in Hong Kong. The British Consulate now warns that it may be unable to offer consular assistance if travellers enter on, or present, a BN(O) passport at local checkpoints. The advisory also folds in emerging restrictions on e-cigarettes and cannabidiol (CBD) products. While Hong Kong outlawed CBD imports in early 2023, enforcement has intensified this summer, and the FCDO now explicitly tells visitors to leave vape juice and CBD gummies at home or risk confiscation and possible prosecution on arrival. The notice comes at the start of the peak August holiday season, when many UK-based expatriate families return to Hong Kong to renew visas or visit relatives. For globally mobile staff, the renewed emphasis on passport choice is significant. Companies whose executives hold multiple passports—particularly BN(O) and British citizen documents—should coach assignees on which document to present when boarding flights to Hong Kong, and to carry evidence of any formal renunciation of Chinese nationality where relevant. Failure to do so could complicate everything from immigration clearance to access to legal representation. Travel-management teams should also update pre-departure checklists: vaping devices and CBD wellness items that are legal in the UK must be removed from luggage before departure. Insurers may refuse coverage for confiscated goods, and a criminal record could derail work-permit renewals under Hong Kong’s various talent-admission schemes.
