Hong Kong Customs and Environmental Protection Department detect smuggling case involving ocean-going vessel (with photo)
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Through intelligence analysis and risk assessment, Customs identified a seaborne container, arriving to Hong Kong from the United States and declared as carrying laminate flooring, for inspection. Upon examination, Customs and the EPD officers seized the batch of suspected smuggled refrigerant inside the container.
This case was suspected of violating both the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60) and the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance (Cap. 403). Customs and the EPD will jointly conduct follow-up investigations, and the likelihood of arrest is not ruled out.
Being a government department primarily responsible for tackling smuggling activities, Customs has long been combating various smuggling activities at the forefront. Customs will keep up its enforcement action and continue to resolutely combat sea smuggling activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, and carry out targeted anti-smuggling operations at suitable times to disrupt relevant crimes.
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 upon conviction.
According to the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance, the import, export, or re-export of any controlled ozone depleting substances is subject to registration and a licensing system. Any person who imports or exports such controlled substances without a licence commits an offence, and is liable to a maximum penalty of a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years upon conviction.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Ends/Monday, November 24, 2025
Issued at HKT 15:00
Issued at HKT 15:00
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