The new regulation on the export of powdered formula for infants and children under 36 months (powdered formula) from Hong Kong took effect today (March 1).
The Assistant Commissioner (Boundary and Ports) of Hong Kong Customs, Mr Yu Koon-hing, today visited the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line to inspect related law enforcement action by Customs officers and the passenger clearance situation.
Speaking at the visit, Mr Yu noted that the department had been well-prepared for the enforcement work of the new regulation at all control points and reminded members of the public and persons departing from Hong Kong to take note of the new regulation.
Mr Yu also appealed to members of the public and departing persons to abide by the new regulation and to co-operate with Customs officers at control points to avoid delay in customs clearance.
He said that Customs had adopted a series of measures including the deployment of additional manpower and the installation of more x-ray machines at control points to speed up clearance of baggage.
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 kilograms 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.
In addition, provisions are made to cater for the needs of children leaving Hong Kong together with a person aged 16 or above who has left Hong Kong in the last 24 hours. The prohibition does not apply to powdered formula, not exceeding a reasonable quantity for the consumption of the children under the age of 36 months during the travelling time from a point of exit in Hong Kong to the next point of entry in a place outside Hong Kong, that is exported in the accompanied personal baggage of such a person. However, the powdered formula must be in an unsealed container.
Ends/Friday, March 1 2013
