Two local women pleaded guilty today (March 8) at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts for illegally exporting powdered formula for infants and children under 36 months (powdered formula) on their second departure from Hong Kong within 24 hours, contravening the Import and Export (General)(Amendment) Regulation 2013. They were each fined $500, and four cans of powdered formula with a total net weight of 3.6 kilogrammes were confiscated.
On March 6, Hong Kong Customs intercepted two local women, aged 62 and 40, at the departure hall of Lo Wu Control Point. Customs officers found each of them to have two cans of powdered formula with a total net weight of 1.8 kilogrammes in their personal baggage. They were arrested by the officers for violating the exemption by attempting to export powdered formula from Hong Kong for the second time within 24 hours.
A Customs spokesperson reminded members of the public and persons departing from Hong Kong to observe the new regulation about the export of powdered formula from Hong Kong which took effect on March 1.
The Import and Export (General)(Amendment) Regulation 2013 prohibits the unlicensed export of powdered formula, including milk powder and soya milk powder, for infants and children under 36 months. To allow a reasonable quantity for personal use, the prohibition does not apply to powdered formula not exceeding 1.8 kilogrammes in total net weight that is exported in the accompanied personal baggage of a person leaving Hong Kong. However, the person must be aged 16 or above and must not have left Hong Kong in the last 24 hours. Offenders may face a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years upon conviction.
The department has strengthened export control, stepping up inspection of the baggage of departing persons and cargo through risk assessment at control points. The department will also enhance intelligence collection and keep close contact with Mainland Customs for joint operations if necessary to detect the illegal export of powdered formula from Hong Kong.
Ends/Friday, March 8 2013