Visitors: distinguish cannabis import offences from possession (#242, #243, #244, #245, #246, #247)

Unauthorised import or export of controlled cannabis products can bring trafficking charges, with a maximum of life imprisonment and HK$5 million.[@ndlaw] Travellers must not bringalso leave CBD orand CBD products into Hong Kongbehind: CBD has been controlled as a dangerous drug since February 2023.[@cbdcontrol] Simple possession is a separate offence carrying up to seven years and HK$1 million on indictment.[@hkpf] A womanpassenger arriving from the United States in March 2023 was later jailed on CBD and ketamine possession and injection-equipment counts.[@cbdcase]

ndlaw, cbdcontrol, hkpf, cbdcase

Hong Kong Security Bureau Narcotics Division — Legislation and law enforcement 10 unchanged

ThereBringing cannabis across the border is no legal recreational supply. Cannabis is a separate offence: since 2 January 2026, unauthorised Class I narcoticimportation carries up to fifteen years and is prohibited for health services, including for foreign medical patients/or a category V fine under Article 610.[@uu35uu2026] Since 2 January 2026For plant material over 1 kg or more than five plants, possessing the plant carriesaggravated offence can bring death, life imprisonment or up to twelvetwenty years and/or a category VI fine, without a special minimum prison term.[@uu2026] PersonalTravel advice warns that medicinal cannabis, oils, CBD, edibles and vapes are also illegal and screened at airports.[@fcdo] Domestic plant possession separately carries up to twelve years and/or a category VI fine; personal use under Article 127 carries up to four years;, with rehabilitation required for a person proved to be a victim of abuse must receive rehabilitation.[@uu2026,uu35]

uu35, uu2026, fcdo, uu35

UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office — Indonesia travel advice 10 unchanged

ThereBringing cannabis into Japan is no legal recreational supply for anyone. Possession of any amount is a crimeseparate import offence carrying one to ten years in prison; export and manufacture have the same ordinary range.[@mhlwtravel] The Health Ministry warns travellers about cannabis cookies, withchocolate and vape cartridges bought legally overseas.[@mhlwtravel] Simple possession separately carries up to seven years in prison since December 2024.[@mhlwtravel] First offenders with small possession amounts commonly receive a suspended sentence, but arrest, weeks of detention and public naming are routine.[@giq]

giqmhlwtravel, diagiq

Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare — About the penalties for drug offenses in Japan 7 unchanged

Under the Narcotics Control ActSimple possession, possessingacquisition, acquiring, transportingtransport or storingstorage of cannabis carries up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million won. This includes edibles[@slg] Unauthorised import or export, vapes and gummies broughtincluding possession for that purpose, is a separate offence carrying life imprisonment or mailed from abroadat least five years under Article 58(1)(5).[@nca2026] Customs controls also cover cannabis products such as vape cartridges and CBD oil.[@customs]

kt2, slg, nca2026, customs

label Possession, acquisition, transport or storage · treatment criminal · prison 5 years · fine 50000000 · note Up to five yearsSimple possession; prison or up to 50 million won, including edibles and vapes from abroada fine. Import/export is a separate offence

There is no legal recreational supply for anyoneBringing or mailing cannabis into South Korea without authorisation can be prosecuted as importation: Article 58(1)(5) provides life imprisonment or at least five years. Under the Narcotics Control Act[@nca2026] Customs prohibits cannabis, possessingresin, acquiring, transporting or storing cannabis vape cartridges and CBD oil; products legally bought abroad can be controlled at entry.[@customs] Simple domestic possession carries up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million won,.[@slg] Patients seeking approved cannabis medicines must use the separate medical-records and this includes edibles, vapes and gummies brought or mailed from abroadimport-approval route.[@mfds]

kt2nca2026, customs, slg, mfds

South Korea — Narcotics Control Act, current from 2 October 2026 Incheon Airport Customs — prohibited narcotics, cannabis and CBD products 11 unchanged

Section 6 of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 punishes possession of cannabis, or of the seeds of the plant, with a fine of up to RM20,000, up to five years in prison, or both.[@dda] Section 39A raises this by weight: 20 g or more but under 50 g brings two to five years and three to nine strokes of the cane; 50 g or more brings five years to life and at least ten strokes.[@dda] A person found with 200 g or more is presumed to be trafficking.[@dda] Adult caning is capped at twenty-four strokes; women and men over fifty are exempt for these offences.[@cpc288]

dda, cpc288

label Basic possession, Section 6 · treatment criminal · prison 5 years · fine 20000 · not … under 50 g, Section 39A · treatment criminal · prison min 2 years · prison 5 years · note Two to five years and three to nine strokes of the caneCaning exclusions apply · caning 3, 9, label 50 g or more, Section 39A · treatment criminal · prison min 5 years · note Five years to life and at least ten strokesLife imprisonment available; at 200 g or more presumed, rebuttable trafficking presumption; caning exclusions apply · caning 10, 24

Section 6B forbids planting or cultivating any plant from which cannabis can be obtained, and allowing it on land one owns or occupies.[@dda] The penalty is imprisonment for life and at least six strokes of the cane, with no lesser tier for a single plant, and a person found on the land is presumed to be the grower.[@dda] Only a public officer authorised by the Minister may grow, for research, educational, experimental or medical purposes.[@dda] Adult caning is capped at twenty-four strokes; women and men over fifty are exempt for these offences.[@cpc288]

dda, cpc288

label Planting or cultivating, Section 6B · treatment criminal · note Life imprisonment and at least six strokes, even for a single plant; caning exclusions apply · caning 6, 24

ThereImporting cannabis without ministerial authorisation is no legal recreational supply for anyonea separate offence under section 4, carrying three to five years in prison. Under the Dangerous Drugs Act[@dda] Simple possession of any amount is also an offence,; 20 g or more brings caning as well as prison, and a person found withwhile 200 g or more is presumed to becreates a rebuttable trafficking presumption.[@dda] If trafficking is established under section 39B, which carriesthe sentence is death or life imprisonment, with at least twelve strokes where death is not imposed.[@dda]

Malaysia — Criminal Procedure Code, sections 288–289 8 unchanged

There is noCustoms warns against importing cannabis flower, wax, gummies and vape oil, even from places where they are legal recreational supply. Ordinary[@customs2024] Transporting Category 2 narcotics under Article 4 carries life imprisonment or at least ten years, with a possible fine up to NT$15 million; Article 17 allows a reduction for a confessed, minor personal-use transport offence.[@moj] Ordinary possession separately carries up to two years, detention or NT$200,000; more than 20 g pure narcotic brings six months to five years and ana possible additional fine up to NT$700,000. Flower weight alone does not establish that pure-drug threshold.[@moj]

customs2024, moj

Taipei Customs — Do not import cannabis and related products (2024) 12 unchanged