Hong Kong Customs on November 18 seized about 710 bottles of suspected smuggled liquor with a total volume of about 490 litres at the Tuen Mun River Trade Terminal Customs Cargo Examination Compound. The estimated market value and the duty potential were $4.6 million and $2.3 million approximately. In addition, Customs officers at the same time seized a batch of suspected smuggled goods with an estimated market value of about $160,000.
Through risk assessment, Customs officers on that day inspected a 40-foot container, declared as carrying chemical fabric, arriving in Hong Kong from Nansha, Guangdong. After inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected smuggled liquor and other suspected smuggled goods, including foodstuffs, tea leaves, furniture, fridges and electronic parts, inside the container.
An investigation is ongoing.
Customs will continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis, and step up enforcement actions for interception at source to combat illicit liquor activities for protection of revenue and to combat various smuggling activities.
Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Members of the public may report any smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Ends/Monday, November 21, 2022
