AFCD Warns Against Importing Endangered Species Without License Ahead of Chinese New Year

AFCD reminds public not to bring endangered species into Hong Kong or purchase them online illegally

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (February 9) reminded members of the public not to bring endangered species into Hong Kong or purchase them online without a required licence.

A spokesman for the AFCD said, "Some plant and animal species are facing the threat of extinction due to over-exploitation, and the import and export of such species are regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) is the local legislation that gives effect to CITES in Hong Kong. Under the Ordinance, the import, export, re-export or possession of endangered animals and plants, including their parts and derivatives, is subject to control under a licensing system."

Any person who contravenes the Ordinance, even for non-commercial purposes, commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction, and the specimens will also be forfeited. More than 500 related seizures were made in 2025. The specimens seized included orchids (including artificially propagated species such as moth orchid), American ginseng, dried seahorses, gastrodia, dendrobium and shark fins of scheduled shark species.

"As the Chinese New Year approaches, there have been a number of recent cases in which members of the public were intercepted by Hong Kong Customs for bringing orchids into Hong Kong from the Chinese Mainland. Members of the public should pay attention to whether the plant and animal products they intend to buy from places outside Hong Kong (including those purchased online) are endangered species. It might not be easy to identify whether the wildlife products originate from endangered species. Therefore, members of the public are advised not to buy such items if they cannot ascertain whether the items are subject to control," the spokesman continued.

The Government is committed to the protection of endangered species. The AFCD and Hong Kong Customs will continue to work closely together and step up their enforcement in combating the illegal trade in endangered species. For information on endangered species, please call 1823 or visit www.cites.hk.

AFCD reminds public not to bring endangered species into Hong Kong or purchase them online illegally Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

AFCD reminds public not to bring endangered species into Hong Kong or purchase them online illegally Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

AFCD reminds public not to bring endangered species into Hong Kong or purchase them online illegally Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

AFCD reminds public not to bring endangered species into Hong Kong or purchase them online illegally Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

AFCD reminds public not to bring endangered species into Hong Kong or purchase them online illegally Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

AFCD reminds public not to bring endangered species into Hong Kong or purchase them online illegally Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million

Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases in Hong Kong International Airport and Yau Ma Tei respectively on April 1 and yesterday (April 2), and seized a total of about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine and about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with a total estimated market value of about $3.4 million. Two persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.

In the first case, a 43-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand on April 1. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine concealed inside food packaging in his baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

In the second case, during an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Yau Ma Tei on April 2, Customs officers intercepted a 41-year-old man and later escorted him to a hotel room nearby for a search and seized about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine, a drug inhaling apparatus and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested persons have been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug respectively and will appear at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (April 4).

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking 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 detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases