Hong Kong Customs recently mounted an operation against the smuggling of frozen meat, and detected a suspected frozen meat and food smuggling case on November 3, with approximately 570 kilograms of suspected smuggled frozen meat and 500kg of suspected smuggled foodstuff seized. The total estimated market value was about $140,000, and nine persons were arrested.

     Through intelligence analysis and in-depth investigations, Hong Kong Customs suspected that some persons were illegally importing frozen meat into Hong Kong from the Mainland side of Chung Ying Street in Sha Tau Kok, and distributing it to different markets and residences in urban areas afterwards. Customs officers subsequently took action on November 3 and intercepted three vehicles delivering frozen meat and foodstuff to fresh provision shops and residences in urban areas, seizing a batch of suspected smuggled frozen meat and foodstuff, including seafood, vegetables and fruits, and prepackaged food.

     During the operation, Hong Kong Customs arrested eight males and one female, comprising a man suspected of illegally importing frozen meat and foodstuff into Hong Kong, four male vehicle drivers who delivered the goods to urban areas, a male fresh provision shop owner and three recipients (two males and one female). The arrestees, aged between 23 and 58, have been released on bail pending further investigation.
      
     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.
      
     Under the Import and Export (General) Regulations, it is an offence to import frozen or chilled meat into Hong Kong without an import licence issued by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD). An offender shall be liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
      
     According to the Imported Game, Meat, Poultry and Eggs Regulations (Cap. 132AK), it is an offence to bring any game, meat, poultry or eggs into Hong Kong without a health certificate issued by an issuing entity of the place of origin and/or without prior written permission granted by the FEHD. An offender shall be liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and to imprisonment for six months.
      
     Under the Food Business Regulation (Cap. 132X), it is an offence for any person to be in possession of meat from an illegal source for sale. If there is sufficient evidence, the FEHD will initiate prosecution. An offender is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months. In addition, under the FEHD's Demerit Points System for licensed food premises, if a licensee is convicted of possessing meat for sale that comes from a slaughterhouse not approved by the FEHD or from other unapproved sources, their licence will be cancelled.

     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/Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Issued at HKT 18:45

NNNN