Hong Kong Authorities Warn Against Use of Mercury-Added Whitening Creams After Seizing 2,880 Boxes

Hong Kong Customs and Environmental Protection Department urge public to stop using three types of unsafe whitening cream products

Hong Kong Customs and the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (March 6) urged members of the public to stop using three types of whitening creams containing excessive mercury.

Hong Kong Customs detained 2 880 boxes of regulated mercury-added whitening creams with an estimated market value of about $63,000 at Hong Kong International Airport on August 27, 2025. The proprietor of the company that imported the batch of whitening creams was charged by the EPD with importing regulated mercury-added products and was fined $10,000 at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts on March 2.

Through risk assessment, Customs officers inspected an air consignment declared as face cream arriving from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, via Singapore to Hong Kong on August 27, 2025. Upon inspection, a total of 2 880 boxes of the three types of regulated mercury-added whitening creams were detected. The case was handed over to the EPD for follow-up action.

The EPD sent the samples of the creams to the Government Laboratory for testing, and it was revealed that the mercury content in the three whitening cream products reached 24 000 parts per million, 25 000 ppm and 28 000 ppm respectively. According to the Mercury Control Ordinance (MCO) (Cap. 640), cosmetics with mercury content exceeding 1 ppm is regulated mercury-added products. The three types of whitening creams contravened the MCO. As a result, the EPD initiated prosecution against the related offenders.

Customs and the EPD remind members of the public that under the MCO, any person importing, exporting, manufacturing or supplying regulated mercury-added products commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for one year upon conviction.

According to medical advice, chronic exposure to mercury can cause damage to the nervous system and kidneys. Symptoms may include tremors, irritability, insomnia, memory deterioration, concentration difficulty, impaired hearing and vision, and changes in taste function. In severe cases, renal failure may occur.

Customs and the EPD remind members of the public to observe the following tips when purchasing and using cosmetic products:

• Do not buy or use cosmetic products of unknown composition or from doubtful sources;

• Stop using the cosmetic products and seek medical attention immediately if feeling unwell after use; and

• Purchase cosmetic products at reputable retail shops.

Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account: (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002). Members of the public may report any suspected regulated mercury-added products to the EPD hotline (2838 3111).

Hong Kong Customs and Environmental Protection Department urge public to stop using three types of unsafe whitening cream products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs and Environmental Protection Department urge public to stop using three types of unsafe whitening cream products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs and Environmental Protection Department urge public to stop using three types of unsafe whitening cream products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs alerts public to unsafe AHA exfoliating face wash gel

Hong Kong Customs today (March 6) alerted members of the public to a model of unsafe Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) exfoliating face wash gel as test results indicated that its pH value falls below the requirement specified in a safety standard, and advised people to stop using the product for safety's sake.

Customs earlier received referrals from a related organisation that a model of suspected unsafe AHA exfoliating face wash gel was being supplied on the market. Customs officers immediately conducted inspections at different districts and successfully test-purchased the product concerned for safety testing. Results from the Government Laboratory revealed that the pH value of the product concerned was 2.5, which falls below the permissible limit of 3.5 for cosmetics containing AHA as specified in the relevant safety and technical standards for cosmetics. The product was suspected to be in contravention of the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance (CGSO).

Customs officers subsequently conducted operations and searched the retailer, wholesaler and importer involved in the case. A total of 523 bottles of suspected unsafe AHA exfoliating face wash gel were seized.

An investigation is ongoing. Customs will continue to closely monitor the market situation and step up patrols. If any violations are found, Customs will take appropriate enforcement action.

Customs reminds members of the public to observe the following safety tips when purchasing and using beauty products:

Do not buy or use beauty products of unknown composition or from doubtful sources;

Stop using the beauty products and consider seeking medical advice if feeling unwell after use; and

Purchase beauty products at reputable retail shops.

Customs is committed to the protection of consumer interests and regularly conducts spot checks and safety tests on consumer goods to ensure that they are reasonably safe for use by consumers.

Customs also reminds traders to comply with the statutory requirements of the CGSO to protect the safety of consumers. Under the CGSO, it is an offence to supply, manufacture or import into Hong Kong consumer goods unless the goods comply with the general safety requirements for consumer goods. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year on first conviction, and $500,000 and imprisonment for two years on subsequent conviction.

Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the CGSO to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs alerts public to unsafe AHA exfoliating face wash gel Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases