Hong Kong demonstrators will need to look beyond mainland China for supplies of protest gear that's defined the look of the movement.
Queries on Chinese e-commerce portals such as Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.'s Taobao for umbrellas, masks and helmets would return the searches as "item not found" for buyers based in Hong Kong, while those on the mainland had positive results. Hong Kong logistics companies said a list of "sensitive items" which include black T-shirts, banners, laser pens and facial masks will be detained at customs.
Protests in Hong Kong have dragged on since early June, with the government warning of the damage to the economy and the city's reputation. Police have used tear gas and rubber bullets on demonstrators who linger after peaceful rallies ended, and the confrontations have turned increasingly violent in recent weeks.