Hong Kong and Lao Customs Strengthen Collaboration on Trade and Customs Affairs

Commissioner of Customs and Excise meets with Director-General of Lao Customs Department and delegation

The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, today (March 10) met with the Director-General of the Lao Customs Department, Mr Phoukhaokham Vannavongxay, and a delegation, at the Customs Headquarters Building. The meeting aimed to strengthen collaboration on customs affairs and forge closer ties between the two administrations.

Mr Chan welcomed Mr Vannavongxay and the delegates to visit Hong Kong Customs. During the meeting, Hong Kong Customs shared developments in smart customs, as well as their work and experience on thecontrols over dutiable commodities in upholding Hong Kong's status as an international trade centre. The two sides also exchanged views on trade facilitation and other issues of mutual interest.

Hong Kong Customs will continue to maintain close liaisonwith regional and international partners to promote bilateral and multilateral ties, as well as consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong's status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre.

Commissioner of Customs and Excise meets with Director-General of Lao Customs Department and delegation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commissioner of Customs and Excise meets with Director-General of Lao Customs Department and delegation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commissioner of Customs and Excise meets with Director-General of Lao Customs Department and delegation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes live tortoises of suspected scheduled endangered species

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (March 9) seized five live tortoises of suspected scheduled endangered species, with an estimated market value of about $39,000, at Hong Kong International Airport.

Through risk assessment, Customs officers yesterday inspected an air consignment declared to contain wallets imported from South Africa to Hong Kong. Upon inspection, the batch of live tortoises, which were suspected to be scheduled endangered species, were found from a carton box.

The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up action.

Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586), any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited.

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 live tortoises of suspected scheduled endangered species Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases