Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 8) smashed a case of unlicensed export of powdered formula for infants and children under 36 months by an outgoing seven-seater private car at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point. Customs seized eight cans and 20 boxes of powdered formula, weighing 31.2 kilogrammes in total. The seizure value amounted to about $10,640. Two women were arrested.
Customs officers mounted an operation against illegal export of powdered formula yesterday afternoon. During the operation, Customs inspected an outgoing seven-seater private car at Shenzhen Bay Control Point. Upon vehicle search, Customs officers found the powdered formula (eight cans and 20 boxes) in the boot of the private car, weighing 31.2 kilogrammes in total. One 63-year-old female passenger and one 33-year-old female passenger were arrested for attempting to export powdered formula without licence. The two passengers were put on police bail pending further investigation.
The Import and Export (General)(Amendment) Regulation 2013 prohibits the unlicensed export of powdered formula 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.
Customs will continue to carry out stringent enforcement against unlicensed export of powdered formula at land boundary control points through the use of risk assessment and intelligence analysis.
Anyone with information about the unlicensed export of powdered formula may report to Hong Kong Customs by calling the 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Ends/Monday, June 9, 2014
