Hong Kong Customs detected a suspected smuggling case involving an ocean-going vessel on October 24. Large batches of suspected smuggled endangered species goods with a total estimated market value of about $100 million were seized.

     Through intelligence analysis and risk assessment, Customs officers inspected four containers on October 24 that were scheduled to be shipped to Korea and declared as carrying seafood and, upon examination, found large batches of smuggled endangered species goods, including scheduled shark fins, shark skins, crocodile skins, sea dragons, mobula gill plates and sea cucumbers.

     Investigations are ongoing. The likelihood of arrests 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 crack down on relevant crimes.

     Smuggling of scheduled endangered species is a serious offence. Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, anyone importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction.
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     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/Thursday, November 12, 2026
Issued at HKT 15:43

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