Hong Kong Customs yesterday (January 9) detected a case of importing a large quantity of foreign currency banknotes involving an incoming passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point. The amount involved is equivalent to about HK$330,000, and a local woman was arrested.
Customs officers intercepted a 62-year-old female incoming passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point yesterday for Customs clearance. A small batch of undeclared foreign currency banknotes was first found in an eco-bag carried by the female passenger. Then, a large batch of undeclared foreign currency banknotes was found concealed within a tailor-made vest she was wearing during subsequent personal search. The total sum of foreign currency banknotes found is equivalent to about HK$330,000, which has exceeded the limit of HK$120,000 as stipulated by the Cross-boundary Movement of Physical Currency and Bearer Negotiable Instruments Ordinance (CBNIO), and the passenger was subsequently arrested.
Customs reminds members of the public that under the CBNIO, a traveller who arrives in Hong Kong via a specified control point and is in possession of a large quantity of currency and bearer negotiable instruments (CBNIs) (i.e. the total value of which is more than HK$120,000) must make a written declaration to a Customs officer, using the Red Channel under the Red and Green Channel System. Persons who do not comply with the CBNIO will be liable to a maximum penalty of a fine of HK$500,000 and imprisonment for two years. Declaration forms are available at the Red Channel of the Customs Arrival Hall and on the website of the Customs and Excise Department.
Customs also appeals to members of the public to stay alert and not to import or export a large quantity of unknown source of CBNIs on behalf of another party.
Members of the public may report any suspected violation of the above-mentioned ordinances to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).
Ends/Wednesday, January 10, 2024
