Hong Kong Customs Seizes $35 Million in Suspected Smuggled Goods from Ocean-Going Vessels

Hong Kong Customs seizes smuggled goods worth about $35 million

Hong Kong Customs detected two suspected smuggling cases involving ocean-going vessels on January 5. A large batch of suspected smuggled goods with a total estimated market value of about $35 million was seized.

Through intelligence analysis and risk assessment, Customs discovered that criminals intended to use ocean-going vessels to smuggle goods. Enforcement operations were thus formulated, with two suspicious containers scheduled to depart from Hong Kong to the Mainland, via ocean-going vessels selected for inspection.

Customs inspected the two abovementioned containers that were declared as carrying aluminium ingots on January 5. Upon examinations, Customs officers found large batches of suspected smuggled goods, including hard disks, display cards, RAM units and other electronic products in the containers.

An investigation is ongoing. The likelihood of arrests is not ruled out.

Being a government department primarily responsible for tackling smuggling activities, Customs has long been combating various smuggling activities on all fronts. Customs will keep up its enforcement action and continue to resolutely combat sea smuggling activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, and carry out targeted anti-smuggling operations at suitable times to disrupt relevant crimes.

Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.

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).

Hong Kong Customs seizes smuggled goods worth about $35 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Suspension of postal service for items containing goods to the United States

​Hongkong Post announced on February 6 that the acceptance of postal items containing goods destined to the United States will continue to be suspended until further notice.

The incident arose when the postal administration of the United States suddenly notified Hongkong Post on February 5 that postal items containing goods destined to the United States shall not be despatched with immediate effect, unless a "formal entry" has been completely and accurately filed with the United States Customs and Border Protection in accordance with the United States law. It then suddenly announced on the night of February 5 to continue accepting the postal items concerned.

The spokesman for the Government said, "Hongkong Post has been communicating with the postal administration of the United States, but there are still matters that need further clarification, including the request of the United States for the imposition of additional duty."

"The HKSAR Government reiterates its strong disapproval of the United States' imposition of additional duty on products of Hong Kong. We urge the United States to take urgent actions to rectify its wrongdoing, so as to avoid causing confusion and inconvenience to the public owing to its constantly changing policies."

For enquiries, members of the public may call the Hongkong Post enquiry hotline at 2921 2222.