Hong Kong Customs Seizes About 8,000kg of Duty-Not-Paid Manufactured Tobacco at Shenzhen Bay Control Point, Arrests Local Driver

Hong Kong Customs detects duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco smuggling case at Shenzhen Bay Control Point

Hong Kong Customs detected a duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco smuggling case at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point yesterday (October 29). A total of about 8 000 kilograms of duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco, with an estimated market value of about $53.4 million and a duty potential of about $32 million was seized from an inbound medium goods vehicle (MGV). A male local driver involved in the case was arrested.

Based on intelligence analysis, Customs officers intercepted the MGV, which was declared to be carrying plastic films and carton sealing tapes, at the above-mentioned control point. Upon examination, Customs officers found about 400 boxes of unmanifested and duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco, as well as a small quantity of other undeclared goods from the vehicle. A 55-year-old male local driver was subsequently arrested.

The case is still under investigation. Customs will continue to trace the source and flow of the manufactured tobacco. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.

Customs will continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis to vigorously combat cross-border smuggling activities.

Customs stresses that smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60), any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years. Moreover, Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109), any person who deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette and 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 a duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco smuggling case at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point yesterday (October 29). A total of about 8 000 kilograms of duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco, with an estimated market value of about $53.4 million and a duty potential of about $32 million was seized from an inbound medium goods vehicle. A male local driver involved in the case was arrested. Photo shows the duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detected a duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco smuggling case at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point yesterday (October 29). A total of about 8 000 kilograms of duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco, with an estimated market value of about $53.4 million and a duty potential of about $32 million was seized from an inbound medium goods vehicle. A male local driver involved in the case was arrested. Photo shows the duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Fishermen Claims Appeal Board set up to process cases affected by marine works projects in north-eastern waters of Hong Kong

The Government today (November 1) announced the establishment of the Fishermen Claims Appeal Board (FCAB) to process ex-gratia allowance (EGA) appeal cases from owners of fishing vessels not exceeding 15 metres in length affected by marine works projects in the north-eastern waters of Hong Kong.

The FCAB is a non-statutory body set up on an ad hoc basis and comprises one non-official Chairperson and four non-official members. Mr Yeung Ming-tai has been appointed as Chairperson of the FCAB and the members are Mr Au Pak-ching, Dr Chung Shan-shan, Mr Ling Man-sum and Mr Tam Kin-lok. These appointments take immediate effect and their term will last until the completion of work on all appeals.

The Government has established a mechanism to grant EGA to eligible owners of fishing vessels affected by marine works projects. An interdepartmental working group (IWG) within the Government has been set up to handle EGA applications from owners of fishing vessels arising from a total of 25 marine works projects in the north-eastern waters of Hong Kong. The IWG received a total of 861 applications during the registration period. EGA applicants aggrieved by the IWG’s decision regarding the EGA amount approved or their eligibility may lodge an appeal to the FCAB. Three EGA applicants filed appeals against the IWG’s decision, with one appeal against the amount approved and two appeals against their eligibility. These appeals will be heard by the FCAB.

The terms of reference of the FCAB are:

• to hear and consider the appeals against the decisions of the IWG relating to the appellants' eligibility for EGA and/or the amount of EGA granted under the Government's policy on granting EGA to owners of fishing vessels affected by marine works projects; and
• having examined any new or additional information/evidence provided by the appellants (or their representatives) or the relevant departments, the relevance of and the weight to be given to such information/evidence, to consider whether to uphold the IWG’s decisions on the appellants' cases or to revise the decisions, and to determine the amount of EGA payable to the appellants, as appropriate.

Source: AI-found images