Local Forwarder Fined $20,000 for Illegal Export of Chinese Medicines

Hong Kong Customs successfully prosecutes local forwarder for exporting Chinese herbal medicine and proprietary Chinese medicine not under and in accordance with export licence

A local forwarder was convicted and fined $20,000 by the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (September 10) for exporting prohibited articles of Chinese herbal medicine and proprietary Chinese medicine not under and in accordance with an export licence, in contravention of the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO).

During an investigation into a contraband export case, Customs officers found a local forwarder that had exported a shipment of Chinese herbal medicine Radix Clematidis and proprietary Chinese medicine containing "Ejiao" to Canada without a valid export licence. The total estimated market value of the cargo was about $67,000.

Customs welcomed the courts' ruling and believed that they have provided clear and explicit warnings to the public.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the IEO, any person who exports Chinese herbal medicine and proprietary Chinese medicine without a valid licence commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years.

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, Photo source: reference image

Acting Commissioner of Customs and Excise meets with Deputy Prime Minister of Laos

The Acting Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Mark Woo, today (September 10) met with Deputy Prime Minister of Laos Mr Saleumxay Kommasith, and a delegation at the Customs Headquarters Building. The meeting aimed to forge closer ties and strengthen business connections between the two sides. The Consul General of Laos, Mr Ammala Saenchonghack, also attended the meeting.

Mr Woo welcomed Mr Kommasith and his delegation to visit Hong Kong Customs. The two sides held a high-level meeting and exchanged views on advancing the Trade Single Window, promoting trade facilitation, and exploring areas of mutual interest. The meeting was also attended by representatives from the Single Window Project Management Office of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau.

Hong Kong Customs will continue to maintain close collaboration with international partners in order to promote trade facilitation and uphold the position of Hong Kong as an international trade centre and logistics hub.

Acting Commissioner of Customs and Excise meets with Deputy Prime Minister of Laos Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Acting Commissioner of Customs and Excise meets with Deputy Prime Minister of Laos Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Acting Commissioner of Customs and Excise meets with Deputy Prime Minister of Laos Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases