Hong Kong Customs detects five smuggling cases involving ocean-going vessels with goods worth about $140 million seized
Hong Kong Customs detected five suspected smuggling cases involving ocean-going vessels in September. Large batches of suspected smuggled goods with a total estimated market value of about $140 million were 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 13 suspicious containers scheduled to depart from Hong Kong to Australia via ocean-going vessels selected for inspection.
Upon examination, Customs officers found large batches of suspected smuggled goods, including about 14 million suspected illicit cigarettes, about 7 400 kilograms of suspected duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco, electronic products, vehicle parts, from the 13 containers, which were declared as carrying household goods, including storage boxes, pillows, towels, sofas and mattresses.
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 at the forefront. Customs will keep up its enforcement action and continue to fiercely 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 detected five suspected smuggling cases involving ocean-going vessels in September. Large batches of suspected smuggled goods with a total estimated market value of about $140 million were seized. Photo shows some of the suspected duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detected five suspected smuggling cases involving ocean-going vessels in September. Large batches of suspected smuggled goods with a total estimated market value of about $140 million were seized. Photo shows some of the suspected illicit cigarettes seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detected five suspected smuggling cases involving ocean-going vessels in September. Large batches of suspected smuggled goods with a total estimated market value of about $140 million were seized. Photo shows some of the suspected smuggled goods seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CEDB promotes new mega exhibition "The Festival of Connoisseurs" at Monaco Yacht Show
The Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB) promoted "The Festival of Connoisseurs" (TFOC) at the Monaco Yacht Show 2026 held in Monaco on September 23 (Monaco time). The TFOC is the first exhibition supported by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government's $100 million funding initiative and will be held for the first time in Hong Kong from November 4 to 6 this year.
Representing the HKSAR Government at the Monaco Yacht Show and speaking at the Hong Kong Reception held on September 23 (Monaco time), the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO), Ms Shirley Yung, introduced to the audience theTFOC, a new international flagship exhibition showcasing superyachts and premium lifestyles, and invited them to come to the inaugural edition in Hong Kong this November to discover the exceptional products and Hong Kong's unique strengths and charm as a global city.
"The TFOC marks a significant milestone not only for Hong Kong's convention and exhibition industry but also for the city's emergence as a premier destination for celebrating the art of fine living." Ms Yung said. "It will bring together some of the world's most prestigious brands and experiences, spanning superyachts, supercars, fine jewellery and watches, private aviation, fine art and other exquisite lifestyle offerings, all of which will be meticulously curated to create an unparalleled experiential journey for visitors."
Organised by Informa Markets, the TFOC is the first exhibition to receive support from the new funding of $100 million earmarked for the CEDB by the Government to attract large-scale international exhibitions featuring new and distinctive elements to Hong Kong. Adopting an innovative "city-as-your-showroom" concept, the TFOC will unfold across multiple iconic locations in Hong Kong, transforming the city's landmarks into immersive backdrops for luxury and lifestyle.
Ms Yung also took the opportunity to update the audience on Hong Kong's efforts to promote the development of the yacht economy and its strategic position as a leading yacht hub in Asia. She highlighted a series of initiatives rolled out by the HKSAR Government to attract yachts from around the world to choose Hong Kong as their destination, including the implementation of cross-boundary facilitation measures to streamline the procedures for yachts visiting Hong Kong.
Hosted by the Hong Kong delegation which comprised Brussels ETO, Invest Hong Kong, the Airport Authority Hong Kong, AsiaWorld-Expo, the Hong Kong Tourism Board, and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, and organised by Informa Markets, the organiser of TFOC, the Hong Kong Reception was well attended by key stakeholders in the maritime and yacht sectors in Europe and other parts of the world. Established in 1991, the Monaco Yacht Show is a world-renowned annual exhibition dedicated to the superyacht industry which brings together exhibitors as well as highly qualified professionals and companies specialising in luxury products and services for yachting.
The Commerce and Economic Development Bureau promoted "The Festival of Connoisseurs" (TFOC) at the Monaco Yacht Show 2026 held in Monaco on September 23 (Monaco time). Photo shows the Deputy Representative of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, Mr Kasper Ng (front row, first left); the Chief Strategy Officer of AsiaWorld-Expo, Ms Enid Low (front row, second left); the General Manager, Mega Events, MICE & Cruise at the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Ms Marilyn Tham (front row, fourth left); the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Mr Anthony Lau (front row, fifth left); the Chairman of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Mr Fred Lam (front row, sixth left); the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung (front row, seventh left); the Executive Chair of Informa Prestige, Mr John Paton (front row, eighth left); the Chief Executive Officer of AsiaWorld-Expo, Ms Irene Chan (front row, ninth left); the Chief Financial Officer of Informa Markets Asia, Ms Suzanne Wang (front row, tenth left); the Executive Director, Commercial of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Ms Cissy Chan (front row, eleventh left); and the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives of Informa Markets Asia, Mr Dan Ye (front row, twelfth left) at the Hong Kong booth at the Monaco Yacht Show on September 23 (Monaco time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Commerce and Economic Development Bureau promoted "The Festival of Connoisseurs" (TFOC) at the Monaco Yacht Show 2026 held in Monaco on September 23 (Monaco time). Photo shows (from left) the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives of Informa Markets Asia, Mr Dan Ye; the Chief Strategy Officer of AsiaWorld-Expo, Ms Enid Low; the Executive Director, Commercial of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Ms Cissy Chan; the Chief Executive Officer of AsiaWorld-Expo, Ms Irene Chan; the Chief Executive Officer of Informa PLC, Mr Stephen Carter; the Chairman of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Mr Fred Lam; the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung; the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Mr Anthony Lau; the Consultant (Milan), Invest Hong Kong, Mr Stefano De Paoli; the General Manager, Mega Events, MICE & Cruise at the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Ms Marilyn Tham; the Chief Financial Officer of Informa Markets Asia, Ms Suzanne Wang; and the Deputy Representative of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, Mr Kasper Ng, at the reception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
