Hong Kong Regulations
Small Unmanned Aircraft (SUA) are seperated into 3 categories in Hong Kong. Smaller recreational drones under 250g, like DJI Mini, are categorized in Category A1, pilot and drone registration is optional. However, one must operate within the rules of Category 1A, which include lower flying speed and max altitude limits.
Regardless of operational category, all SUA pilot must abide by regulations, including staying of of no fly zones. It is also forbidden to carry goods or passenger, or to drop items from the drone. These operations required prior approval from CAD. It is recommended to download the eSUA app on Google Play or Apple App Store to see the drone map for restricted airspace and any live information.
Should one wish to fly higher, he/she could register with Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department’s eSUA website (https://esua.cad.gov.hk) for a pilot certificate as well as a SUA certificate. CAD will mail a sticker with QR code to the pilot’s address with in a few days. This must be attached to the body of the aircraft. This will enable the pilot to operate within Category A2 constraints, which include heavier aircraft up to 7 kg.
Category A1 and Category A2 are considered Standard Operations, which means that one can fly without prior CAD approval. Operations including aircraft above 7 kg (Category B), within restricted airpace, carry goods, etc, are considered Advanced Operations. One must be trained and licensed, and ask CAD for permission.
More information can be found at CAD website, the operating requirements and drone maps are presented below for easy reference:
| Requirements | Category A1 | Category A2 |
| Time of Operations | Daylight Only – 30 min before sunrise – 30 min after sunset | Daylight Only – 30 min before sunrise – 30 min after sunset |
| Visual Line of Sight | At All Time | At All Time |
| Max Flying Altitude [Above Ground Level (AGL)] | 100 ft / 30 m | 300 ft / 90 m |
| Max Speed | 20 km/h | 5 m/s | 50 km/h | 13 m/s |
| Seperation Distance from Others | 10 m | 10 m @ 20 km/h | 30 m @ 50 km/h |
| # of SUA Operated by a Pilot | 1 | 1 |
| Max Dimension of SUA | 1 m | 1 m |
| Carriage of Person or Animal | Not Allowed | Not Allowed |
| Dropping of Objects | Not Allowed Without Permission | Not Allowed Without Permission |
Hong Kong Drone Map
The drone map can be accessed on eSUV. However, the website could be out for maintenance. Here’s a copy just in case that happens.
Mainland China Regulations
In mainland China, all drones and remote pilot MUST be registered with the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) regardless of categories or intents. The website (https://uom.caac.gov.cn) is very slow, but it is required and has severe punishment if caught flying without registration.
Registration required a mainland China resident card, or a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau Residents (Return Home Permit). You will also need a mainland China mobile phone number capable of receving text messages.
Other than that, the registration process is relatively straight forward. Just fill in the usual personal information (use hotel for mainland address), and then take a couple photos with your ID for manual verification. You will receive a text message from the mainland phone number in a few days, then you can registration your drone for a QR code that you must print yourself. The QR code must be attached to the body of the drone.