A passenger departing from Hong Kong pleaded guilty today (March 2) at the Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Courts for illegally exporting powdered formula for infants and children under 36 months (powdered formula) from Hong Kong, contravening the Import and Export (General)(Amendment) Regulation 2013. He was fined $5,000 and nine cans of powdered formula, with a total net weight of 8.1 kilogrammes, was confiscated.
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (March 1) intercepted a 47-year-old man departing from Hong Kong at the departure hall of Shenzhen Bay Control Point. Customs officers found in his personal baggage 11 cans of powdered formula, with a total net weight of 9.9 kilogrammes, which was exceeding the limit of 1.8 kilogrammes. He was arrested by the officers for failing to present an export license.
A Customs spokesperson reminded members of the public and persons departing from Hong Kong to observe of the new regulation about the export of powdered formula from Hong Kong which takes 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. 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, stepped up inspection on the baggage of departing persons and cargo through risk assessment at the control points. The department will also enhance intelligence collection and keep close contact with the Mainland Customs for joint operations if necessary to detect illegal export of powdered formula from Hong Kong.
Ends/Saturday, March 2 2013