š In this blog post weāll share all drone law links & known rules about recreational & commercial drone use in Hong Kong. Give a š at the end of this post if you enjoyed it & feel free to ask any questions or share your experience in The Forum. Keep in mind that the content below is updated to the best of our ability & does not replace official sources & your own research.
Recreational vs Commercial drone use in Hong Kong
Hong Kong differentiates commercial & recreational drone use - see our post to differentiate recreational vs commercial drone use. Both are subject to restrictions & a code of conduct.
ā The use of drones in Hong Kong is under the responsibility of the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department (HKCAD) & they can be contacted via:
Email: uas@cad.gov.hk
Phone: (+852) 2910 6352
Can I travel to Hong Kong with my drone?
ā Currently, there doesn't seem to be any restrictions on bringing drones within Hong Kong as long as your import is considered as legitimate (generally one drone per person).
šØ Be aware of the airline you purchase to travel as some main ones will only accept your drone on-board if its batteries are detached & placed in a firecase during travel time. Most airlines will have a battery voltage limit based on the recommendation of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). You can find more info about a specific airline here.
Where can I fly my drone in Hong Kong?
ā We did not find an official fly zone map for drones in Hong Kong "If you have more information about this, please let us in the Forum anytime". However, the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department specified a few no fly zones such as:
Hong Kong International Airport (5 km away)
North Lantau coastal area
coastal areas from Tai Lam Chung to Tsuen Wan and Tsing Yi Island
Victoria Harbour and its coastal areas
Shek Kong area.
šØ Do not fly near power sources, military & religious sites. Avoid flying above crowds & congested areas.
š¦ National parks & reserves are on a case by case permission & you might need to check directly with the local park or reserve authorities. š¢š¦
Recreational Drone use in Hong Kong
ā Good things first, you will not need a permit or a license to fly your drone for recreational use in Hong Kong.
With this in mind & within the permitted zones, you will need to follow a few rules:
fly at a maximum altitude of 91 m, during daylight & within sight at all times.
avoid flying above event, congested areas &/or near crowds.
fly a drone weighting less than 7 kg (empty weight)
fly only during good weather (you need to see up to 5 km away from you with winds of less than 37 km/h š” You can check it out with a pocket anometer).
fly a drone that records your flight path in an electronic way such as the Mavic Pro
fly 50 m away from private property, vehicles that are not in your control.
fly 30 m away from people & respect individuals' privacy.
fly 5 km away from airports, heliports & give priority to all other categories of aircraft. If you see an aircraft during your flight, land immediately.
do not fly during weather alerts (such as planned typhoon, monsoon, etc.)
do not carry or drop anything from your drone while flying in Hong Kong.
fly only one drone at a time.
What do I risk for flying my drone for recreational use illegally in HK?
šØ The amount & scope of the fine will depend on the nature & severity of your infraction. The judges will also evaluate if you intentionally committed the infraction &/or if you had any commercial purpose during your flight.
Commercial Drone use in Hong Kong
ā The Civil Aviation Department of Hong Kong defines drone commercial use as any flight resulting from a hire for a service or generating any kind of reward to its owner.
šØ You will need to register your drone, obtain a permission when applicable & have a drone license* to fly for commercial purposes in Hong Kong. You will also need an insurance to cover your activities.
* We did not find much info about how to obtain your license in Hong Kong but these guys might be able to help you a little more.
How to register my drone in Hong Kong?
ā The Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department created an online portal (in Chinese & English) for you to register your drone directly online via this link. You will need your basic personal information (you might need a Chinese phone number) as well as all the technical details of your drone handy to complete the registration. To complete it you will need:
all your personal information
the technical details of your drone
the full information around your planned flight
a copy of your insurance
a local permission if flying over a specific building or private land
ā You will need an Operations Manual to prevent your drone and/or your team against any unusual event & fly as safely as possible for all.
How to obtain permission to fly my drone in Hong Kong?
ā When willing to fly in a restricted zone, you will need to complete this online form with your full personal details & detailed information about your flight zone/are. Once completed, you can return it to asdoo@cad.gov.hk. You will need to provide the copy of your insurance.
š” On the day & prior taking off, you its seems you should also inform closest Air Traffic Supervisor & coordinate your flight details. Make sure to provide a HK phone number.
What do I risk for flying my drone for commercial use illegally in HK?
The amount & scope of the fine will depend on the nature & severity of your infraction. The judges will also evaluate if you intentionally committed the infraction and/or if you had any commercial purposes to do such.
Once you got everything in order, you can start flying above Hong Kong's awesome landscapes & create videos like this one:
ā Please leave a comment or update the Forum when you receive news and/or gain experience with your drone in Hong Kong! Have fun & safe flight!
Disclaimer: Although greatĀ care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information researched, we take no responsibility for any loss, harm or damage caused as a direct or indirect consequence of relying on this information. It is your responsibility to seek advice from qualified local & relevant authoritiesĀ for needed information about local drone regulations.
Other resources
Hong Kong drone rules flyer (HKCAD)
Sources
Recreational drone use rules (HKCAD)
Commercial drone use rules (HKCAD)
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