Hong Kong Customs yesterday (March 7) foiled a sea smuggling attempt and seized a batch of unmanifested goods including old computer printers, photocopiers and photo-printers, worth about $3.6 million.
After investigation, Customs officers of the Special Task Force (STF) found that a smuggling syndicate was trying to smuggle used printers and photocopiers to the Mainland with false export declaration.
Customs officers of STF and the Ports and Maritime Command yesterday morning intercepted a river trade vessel heading to Beihai City in Guangxi Province off Sha Chau in the west of Hong Kong waters and uncovered a large number of unmanifested goods including used computer printers, photocopiers and photo-printers declared as “video monitors” inside two containers.
It is believed that the syndicate attempted to smuggle the goods to the Mainland to evade duty and related regulations. Investigation is continuing.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, smuggling is a serious offence. The maximum penalty is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Ends/Monday, March 8, 2010
