https://www.scmp.com/rss/522231/feed The latest news and top stories on Hong Kong Customs. A prominent Hong Kong-based governmental body, Hong Kong Customs is the customs service of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It is dedicated to protecting Hong Kong against smuggling, collecting revenue on dutiable goods, combating narcotics trafficking and safeguarding intellectual property rights. Its main areas of activity include border control, trade facilitation and consumer protection. Headquartered at 222 Java Road, North... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong customs officers have arrested three people in a months-long operation against a money laundering and illicit goods syndicate that led to the discovery of about 2.2 million untaxed cigarettes and HK$11.3 million (US$1.4 million) in alleged criminal proceeds. The Customs and Excise Department said on Wednesday that officers raided five residential flats a day earlier, arresting two men, aged 31 and 37, and a 35-year-old woman on suspicion of money laundering. The department said an... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3353400/hong-kong-customs-arrests-3-over-illicit-cigarettes-seizure-hk113m-proceeds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3353400/hong-kong-customs-arrests-3-over-illicit-cigarettes-seizure-hk113m-proceeds?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 May 2026 07:06:19 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma Hong Kong customs has arrested a woman on suspicion of trying to smuggle seven animals worth about HK$4,300 (HK$549), including a sugar glider and a chinchilla, into the city. A Customs and Excise Department spokesman said on Sunday that officers intercepted the 46-year-old traveller at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line checkpoint the day before, seizing the animals from paper bags she carried. “Customs reminds the public that importing animals into Hong Kong without a valid permit is an offence,” the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3353034/hong-kong-woman-arrested-smuggling-seven-animals-border-checkpoint?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3353034/hong-kong-woman-arrested-smuggling-seven-animals-border-checkpoint?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 May 2026 07:59:33 +0000 Lam Ka-sing Lam Ka-sing Hong Kong customs has arrested seven people in a citywide crackdown on party rooms offering suspected illegal karaoke sets with songs that infringed copyright. The operation, code-named “Magpie”, took place between March 16 and Wednesday this week and involved more than 100 officers, who raided 14 party rooms, a bar and the homes of two online sellers. Ng Ka-chun, divisional commander of customs’ intellectual property technology crime investigation, said on Friday that authorities seized 28... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3350419/7-arrested-crackdown-party-rooms-offering-copyright-infringing-karaoke-sets?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3350419/7-arrested-crackdown-party-rooms-offering-copyright-infringing-karaoke-sets?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Apr 2026 06:02:16 +0000 Ng Kang-chung Ng Kang-chung Hong Kong customs officers seized 6.5kg of suspected drugs worth about HK$3.4 million (US$433,800) and arrested two men in separate cases earlier this week. The Customs and Excise Department said on Friday the first arrest occurred two days earlier at Hong Kong International Airport when officers found 3.1kg (6.8lbs) of suspected ketamine in the baggage of a man, 43, who arrived from Bangkok. The department said the suspected drugs were concealed inside food packaging in the baggage. In the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3348994/hong-kong-customs-seizes-hk34-million-worth-suspected-drugs-arrests-2-men?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3348994/hong-kong-customs-seizes-hk34-million-worth-suspected-drugs-arrests-2-men?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Apr 2026 13:45:31 +0000 Fiona Sun Fiona Sun Hong Kong customs officers have seized about 162kg of suspected dried shark fins from protected species worth about HK$280,000 (US$35,720) from Panama at the airport. The Customs and Excise Department said on Friday that officers inspected an air consignment declared as dried fish maw arriving from the country the day before. Upon inspection, officers found six boxes of suspected scheduled dried shark fins, weighing about 162kg (357lbs), inside the consignment. The case has been handed over to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3348940/hong-kong-customs-seizes-hk280000-worth-dried-shark-fins-panama?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3348940/hong-kong-customs-seizes-hk280000-worth-dried-shark-fins-panama?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Apr 2026 08:31:17 +0000 Danny Mok Danny Mok Hong Kong customs officers have arrested five people and seized 2,500 pairs of suspected counterfeit eyewear worth about HK$2.2 million (US$280,680) in a citywide operation. Officers from the Customs and Excise Department carried out the special enforcement action on Tuesday and Wednesday, targeting the sale of counterfeit goods. Officers raided five retail shops in Cheung Sha Wan, Kwai Shing, Tsuen Wan and Fanling, as well as a supplier in Kwun Tong, seizing the items with the assistance of... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3347205/hong-kong-customs-arrests-5-people-seizes-hk22-million-counterfeit-eyewear?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3347205/hong-kong-customs-arrests-5-people-seizes-hk22-million-counterfeit-eyewear?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Mar 2026 13:42:09 +0000 Danny Mok Danny Mok Hong Kong customs officers have seized 986 smuggled live turtles worth about HK$1 million (US$127,620) from a private car attempting to leave the city, arresting the driver and a passenger. Officers discovered the turtles hidden in seven black plastic bags in the vehicle’s boot at the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge control point on Tuesday. A 42-year-old driver and a 50-year-old passenger were arrested, a spokesman of Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department said on Wednesday. Both men were... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3347060/hong-kong-customs-seizes-nearly-1000-smuggled-turtles-worth-hk1-million?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3347060/hong-kong-customs-seizes-nearly-1000-smuggled-turtles-worth-hk1-million?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Mar 2026 11:45:22 +0000 Danny Mok Danny Mok Hong Kong customs officers have arrested two men in a crackdown on a syndicate accused of laundering HK$4.7 billion (US$600.54 million) in criminal proceeds over four years and running a drug business. Investigators from customs’ financial investigation bureau said on Thursday the group operated through two companies, receiving large sums of unexplained funds and channelling them through more than 2,100 transactions. The money‑laundering tactics involved shell companies, frequent transfers and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3346412/2-arrested-raid-hong-kong-syndicate-accused-laundering-hk47-billion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3346412/2-arrested-raid-hong-kong-syndicate-accused-laundering-hk47-billion?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Mar 2026 15:07:48 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma Hong Kong customs officers have discovered HK$233 million (US$29.81 million) worth of gold and silver hidden in two air cargo shipments of household cleaning machines destined for Japan, making the largest seizure of precious metals on record. Senior Investigator Ho Ting-chun of the Customs and Excise Department’s syndicate crimes investigation bureau said on Thursday officers intercepted 168kg (370lbs) of suspected gold foil and 285kg of suspected silver foil worth HK$233 million in an... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3345592/customs-seizes-record-hk230-million-gold-and-silver-hidden-air-cargo?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3345592/customs-seizes-record-hk230-million-gold-and-silver-hidden-air-cargo?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Mar 2026 11:20:56 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng Hong Kong customs has arrested four people and seized HK$140 million (US$18 million) worth of slimming and cosmetic injections, along with erectile dysfunction pills, in a crackdown on smuggled illicit medicines. The suspects, aged between 26 and 61, comprise two mainland Chinese men and two local women, the Customs and Excise Department said on Monday. Investigations are ongoing, and the department has not ruled out further arrests. The department said that since stepping up enforcement in... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3343754/hong-kong-customs-arrests-4-seizes-hk140-million-smuggled-illicit-medicines?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3343754/hong-kong-customs-arrests-4-seizes-hk140-million-smuggled-illicit-medicines?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Feb 2026 10:53:12 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li A woman has been arrested on suspicion of illegally importing 112 birds estimated to be worth about HK$15,000 (US$1,920) into Hong Kong. The government said on Saturday that the suspect, aged 26, was allegedly found with a trolley of cages holding multiple birds each as she tried to pass through the Lo Wu border crossing. The birds were seized by customs as the woman was arrested. Authorities estimated the avians were worth HK$15,000. The case is currently under investigation by the Agriculture,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3342786/woman-arrested-over-illegally-importing-112-birds-worth-hk15000?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3342786/woman-arrested-over-illegally-importing-112-birds-worth-hk15000?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Feb 2026 14:20:48 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Hong Kong customs has seized more than 14,000 weight-loss injections bound for Macau. The results of last week’s operation were revealed on Thursday, days after the South China Morning Post exclusively reported on the suspected illegal sale of such medication without prescriptions in Hong Kong. The Department of Health also said that it was investigating an illegal online sale of a slimming product containing controlled drug ingredients and would take appropriate follow-up action. Authorities... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3341651/hong-kong-customs-seizes-14080-smuggled-slimming-jabs-bound-macau?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3341651/hong-kong-customs-seizes-14080-smuggled-slimming-jabs-bound-macau?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Jan 2026 06:45:47 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Hong Kong customs has arrested 62 people and seized about 1.4 tonnes of suspected drugs worth roughly HK$431 million (US$55.27 million) in a major crackdown at the city’s airport, carried out with mainland Chinese and overseas authorities. The Customs and Excise Department said on Wednesday that a months-long operation conducted from October to December targeted criminals smuggling drugs through passenger and cargo channels at Hong Kong International Airport. Officers uncovered syndicates... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3339918/hong-kong-customs-arrests-62-seizes-hk431-million-drugs-joint-operation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3339918/hong-kong-customs-arrests-62-seizes-hk431-million-drugs-joint-operation?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 14 Jan 2026 14:09:53 +0000 Susan Su Susan Su Hong Kong customs has arrested three people after seizing HK$18 million (US$2.3 million) worth of suspected ketamine hidden inside baby car seats in two shipping containers from the Netherlands and Spain. The Customs and Excise Department said on Thursday that its officers found 36.2kg (79.8lbs) of the substance while inspecting two seaborne consolidated containers in December, following an intelligence analysis and risk assessment. Officers first seized about 15.6kg of suspected ketamine from... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3339207/hong-kong-customs-seizes-hk18-million-suspected-ketamine-baby-car-seats?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3339207/hong-kong-customs-seizes-hk18-million-suspected-ketamine-baby-car-seats?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Jan 2026 11:24:25 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong Hong Kong customs has intercepted more than 83,000 counterfeit items worth about HK$36 million (US$4.62 million) as part of a recent crackdown, warning that criminals are using the heightened seasonal demand as a “smokescreen” to move illicit goods to Europe and the Americas. The Customs and Excise Department said on Wednesday that the operation ran from December 8 to 19 and was conducted in response to a surge in cross-border logistics activities during the peak year-end shopping season. During... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3337639/hong-kong-customs-seize-counterfeit-goods-worth-hk36-million-crackdown?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3337639/hong-kong-customs-seize-counterfeit-goods-worth-hk36-million-crackdown?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Dec 2025 10:08:29 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong customs has arrested five people on suspicion of laundering HK$8.9 billion (US$1.1 billion) in suspected crime proceeds over a four-year period, with investigators for the first time uncovering a syndicate using sophisticated fake shipping websites for “phantom trading”. Senior Investigator Tsoi Kim-fai of customs’ financial investigation bureau said on Tuesday that the operation last week led to the arrest of two men and three women, aged 28 to 59, who allegedly operated 29 bank... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3337506/hong-kong-customs-arrests-5-suspected-hk89-billion-ghost-trading-racket?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3337506/hong-kong-customs-arrests-5-suspected-hk89-billion-ghost-trading-racket?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 23 Dec 2025 10:02:24 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong customs has arrested two party room operators on suspicion of providing pirated karaoke songs to customers after raiding eight properties across the city. The Customs and Excise Department said on Friday that officers launched an operation between December 3 and 10 after analysing intelligence, with the help of copyright owners, and identifying party rooms suspected of possessing and providing infringing karaoke songs. Officers raided party rooms in various areas, including Kwun Tong,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3337013/hong-kong-customs-arrests-2-party-room-operators-over-suspected-pirated-songs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3337013/hong-kong-customs-arrests-2-party-room-operators-over-suspected-pirated-songs?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 19 Dec 2025 05:24:13 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma Hong Kong police have arrested a 38-year-old man suspected of stabbing three customs officers during a drug raid in To Kwa Wan, bringing an end to a six-day manhunt. The suspect was the fifth person taken into custody in connection with the incident last Thursday. Officers have also seized HK$1.8 million (US$231,574) worth of narcotics from the flat targeted in the anti-drug operation. Gar Kam-lam, the acting senior superintendent of the force’s Kowloon West regional crime headquarters, said the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3332482/hong-kong-police-arrest-suspect-after-6-day-manhunt-over-knife-attack-officers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3332482/hong-kong-police-arrest-suspect-after-6-day-manhunt-over-knife-attack-officers?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 12 Nov 2025 09:17:07 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma Hong Kong’s Security Bureau, police and customs have joined the government’s push to boost voter turnout in the coming Legislative Council election by releasing a series of lighthearted videos featuring top officials getting hair makeovers while using Cantonese puns to urge residents to vote. These clips play on the shared Cantonese pronunciation for “hair” and “law”, encouraging residents to prioritise voting over styling their hair. The campaigns feature Secretary for Security Chris Tang... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3332393/hair-raising-hong-kongs-top-officials-style-cantonese-puns-poll-day-push?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3332393/hair-raising-hong-kongs-top-officials-style-cantonese-puns-poll-day-push?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Nov 2025 16:09:02 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hong Kong continues to shake off impressions that it is a hub for international wildlife trafficking, most recently with a UN award recognising the city’s progress in fighting such crimes. Authorities deserve praise for their efforts, but continued support will be needed in the face of a global rise in endangered species smuggling. The Customs and Excise Department was recognised last month with an “impact” award from the United Nations Environment Programme for its role in the jailing of a... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3332159/hong-kongs-efforts-are-having-impact-against-wildlife-smuggling?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3332159/hong-kongs-efforts-are-having-impact-against-wildlife-smuggling?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 10 Nov 2025 23:15:11 +0000 Danielle Popov,Cheryl Arcibal Danielle Popov,Cheryl Arcibal Currency exchange shops, once a ubiquitous feature of Hong Kong’s retail landscape, are in a gradual, irreversible decline, with their closure precipitated by the pandemic, stricter licensing regulations and adoption of an array of convenient digital payment systems. The number of registered currency exchange shops in the city has more than halved to around 1,050 from a peak of nearly 2,500 in 2018, before the social unrest and border closures brought tourism to a standstill for three years,... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3331890/record-rent-retreat-hong-kongs-currency-exchange-shops-have-become-dying-breed?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3331890/record-rent-retreat-hong-kongs-currency-exchange-shops-have-become-dying-breed?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 09 Nov 2025 03:00:14 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li Hong Kong police have arrested three people in connection with a knife attack on three customs officers during an anti-drug operation, including the assailant’s mother, who allegedly provided misleading information to the force, the Post has learned. Two men, arrested in Mong Kok at 12.45am and in Kowloon City at 3am on Friday, were believed to have aided in the escape of the wanted attacker. A 66-year-old woman, identified as the attacker’s mother, was arrested at 2.45pm on Friday in Wong Tai... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3331859/pair-arrested-after-3-hong-kong-customs-officers-slashed-drug-raid?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3331859/pair-arrested-after-3-hong-kong-customs-officers-slashed-drug-raid?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Nov 2025 02:49:33 +0000 Danny Mok Danny Mok Hong Kong authorities are hunting for a suspect who injured three customs officers with a knife during an anti-narcotics raid at a flat in To Kwa Wan, as the security minister condemned the violent incident. Customs chief Chan Tsz-tat said that seven officers from the Customs and Excise Department were raiding the flat in block E of Honour Building on To Kwa Wan Road in connection with narcotics-related activities at about 4.55pm on Thursday evening. Before they could arrest him, the 38-year-old... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3331806/hong-kong-authorities-hunt-suspect-behind-knife-attack-2-customs-officers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3331806/hong-kong-authorities-hunt-suspect-behind-knife-attack-2-customs-officers?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Nov 2025 11:10:29 +0000 Danny Mok Danny Mok Hong Kong customs officers have seized HK$100 million (US$12.9 million) worth of precious metals in two air freight smuggling cases, including 60kg (132lbs) of suspected gold and silver alloy discs hidden inside ceramic tea trays bound for Japan in a “rarely seen” tactic. On October 3, officers at the airport inspected a shipment of 126 ceramic tea trays and found unusually heavy black metallic discs embedded in their tops. Scraping off the coating revealed a silver-coloured alloy weighing 60kg,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3331652/hong-kong-customs-seizes-hk100-million-precious-metals-2-smuggling-cases?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3331652/hong-kong-customs-seizes-hk100-million-precious-metals-2-smuggling-cases?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 05 Nov 2025 11:13:23 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma Hong Kong customs has pledged to ramp up the detection of illicit fund flows in large-scale wildlife smuggling cases after winning a UN award for the city’s first money-laundering conviction involving this type of trafficking. The Customs and Excise Department received an “impact” award from the United Nations Environment Programme last month for its role in the jailing of a 37-year-old man in September for 40 months over a live coral smuggling case involving about HK$6.7 million (US$862,000) in... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3331536/hong-kong-customs-vows-tackle-fund-flows-large-scale-wildlife-smuggling?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3331536/hong-kong-customs-vows-tackle-fund-flows-large-scale-wildlife-smuggling?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 04 Nov 2025 23:00:18 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma Hong Kong customs has seized 35kg (77lbs) of suspected ketamine worth HK$16 million (US$2 million) hidden in a mini-storage warehouse, arresting one man as part of a joint operation with mainland Chinese authorities. Angus Lin, senior investigator of the Customs and Excise Department’s drug investigation division, revealed on Saturday that a 49-year-old man had been arrested on Friday after officers discovered two batches of suspected ketamine sent to the same recipient at a mini-storage... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3331182/1-arrested-hong-kong-customs-seizes-hk16-million-suspected-ketamine?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3331182/1-arrested-hong-kong-customs-seizes-hk16-million-suspected-ketamine?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 01 Nov 2025 11:16:20 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma Hong Kong customs has arrested two men in connection with the seizure of 20kg (44lbs) of suspected ketamine worth HK$9 million (US$1.2 million) concealed inside plastic buckets, as well as HK$420,000 in cash. A spokesman for the Customs and Excise Department said on Wednesday evening that officers had intercepted two parcels declared to be pesticides in a joint operation with anti-smuggling authorities in mainland China. The two parcels were sent to Hong Kong from the mainland and were found to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3330833/hong-kong-customs-seizes-hk9-million-ketamine-hidden-buckets-arrests-2?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3330833/hong-kong-customs-seizes-hk9-million-ketamine-hidden-buckets-arrests-2?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Oct 2025 00:47:06 +0000 William Yiu William Yiu Hong Kong customs has uncovered two major sea smuggling cases, seizing suspected illicit goods worth about HK$200 million (US$25 million), including 150 tonnes of donkey skins. The massive haul was discovered aboard a river trade vessel and an ocean-going ship on October 3 and 7, respectively. “Customs officers inspected on October 7 five containers declared as carrying frozen food and bound for Taiwan, discovering 150 tonnes of donkey skins upon examination,” the Customs and Excise Department... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3330595/150-tonnes-donkey-skin-among-hk200-million-smuggling-bust-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3330595/150-tonnes-donkey-skin-among-hk200-million-smuggling-bust-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Oct 2025 07:01:20 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen Hong Kong customs officers have seized HK$10 million (US$1.29 million) worth of suspected counterfeit sports and luxury shoes such as Nike, Adidas, Louis Vuitton and Gucci, believed to be intended for overseas markets to capitalise on a demand driven by global mega-events. “At mega-events such as sports shoes exhibitions, many collectors and enthusiasts will trade items on site, driving up demand for high-quality counterfeit sports shoes,” said Inspector Yeung Tit-fung of the Customs and Excise... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3329946/hong-kong-customs-seize-hk10-million-bogus-nike-adidas-shoes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3329946/hong-kong-customs-seize-hk10-million-bogus-nike-adidas-shoes?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Oct 2025 09:36:22 +0000 Connor Mycroft Connor Mycroft Customs officers have arrested a man at Hong Kong airport on suspicion of carrying about HK$1.7 million (US$218,410) worth of cannabis buds in his luggage. The Customs and Excise Department said on Monday that the 30-year-old had arrived at the city’s airport from Bangkok the previous day. The suspect’s nationality was not provided. During customs clearance, officers discovered a batch of about 8kg (18lbs) of suspected cannabis in his carry-on luggage. The man was subsequently arrested and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3328805/man-arrested-hong-kong-airport-hk17-million-drug-bust?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3328805/man-arrested-hong-kong-airport-hk17-million-drug-bust?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Oct 2025 08:43:42 +0000 Danny Mok Danny Mok Hong Kong customs authorities have seized HK$170 million (US$21.84 million) worth of smuggled items including computers and watches from two ocean-going vessels heading to Indonesia and Malaysia. The operation was launched following intelligence analysis and risk assessment, which indicated that criminal syndicates were planning to use ocean-going vessels to smuggle goods out of Hong Kong. Investigators subsequently targeted four cargo containers scheduled to depart for Indonesia and Malaysia,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3328386/hong-kong-customs-seizes-hk170-million-smuggled-items-cargo-containers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3328386/hong-kong-customs-seizes-hk170-million-smuggled-items-cargo-containers?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Oct 2025 09:44:17 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma Hong Kong customs has launched a three-month pilot scheme to test using laser labels on duty-paid tobacco products to help tackle the sale of untaxed cigarettes in the city. Commissioner of Customs and Excise Chan Tsz-tat said on Tuesday that he was confident the labels would be difficult to counterfeit, adding that local tobacco companies were equipped to produce the laser labels. “They are capable of [producing the labels] and can quickly stick them onto each pack of cigarettes. Both we and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3328110/hong-kong-tests-laser-labels-tobacco-products-3-month-pilot-scheme?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3328110/hong-kong-tests-laser-labels-tobacco-products-3-month-pilot-scheme?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Oct 2025 08:27:39 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial A legal amendment boosting the authorities’ ability to crack down on wildlife trafficking was seen as a landmark in enabling Hong Kong to shed its unwanted reputation as an international hub for the trade. The change to the Organised and Serious Crimes Ordinance in 2021 empowered law enforcement agencies to obtain documents relevant to their investigations, seize proceeds and impose tougher penalties. It was a breakthrough, allowing investigators to follow the money and target the bigger... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3326816/money-laundering-conviction-sends-right-message-wildlife-smugglers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3326816/money-laundering-conviction-sends-right-message-wildlife-smugglers?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Sep 2025 22:45:08 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma Hong Kong customs officers have uncovered the department’s largest case yet involving counterfeit goods sold online, arresting seven people and seizing HK$15 million (US$1.9 million) worth of items, including bogus medicines and fake Louis Vuitton and Hermes handbags. Hong Yan, a senior inspector with the Customs and Excise Department’s intellectual property general investigation unit, said on Friday officers arrested four men and three women on Tuesday last week at a storage unit in Yuen Long... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3326117/hk15-million-bogus-items-seized-customs-largest-fake-goods-online-case?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3326117/hk15-million-bogus-items-seized-customs-largest-fake-goods-online-case?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 19 Sep 2025 06:53:29 +0000 Danny Mok Danny Mok Hong Kong customs officers have arrested two people over smuggled counterfeit goods worth HK$1 million (US$128,570), including more than 170 boxes of fake Maxim’s mooncakes. The Customs and Excise Department said on Tuesday that other than the mooncakes, it had seized 3,700 items of suspected counterfeit goods including apparel, accessories, proprietary Chinese medicines, perfumes, cosmetics and skincare products in an operation that began on August 27. Officers examined a 40-foot cargo... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3325770/fake-maxims-mooncakes-among-hk1-million-counterfeit-goods-seized-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3325770/fake-maxims-mooncakes-among-hk1-million-counterfeit-goods-seized-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 16 Sep 2025 14:18:35 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu A Hong Kong banquet restaurant that promoted its venue at a wedding expo last month is suspected to have shut without notice, leaving couples who made event bookings in the lurch. The Customs and Excise Department said on Tuesday it had received reports about Starry Terrace’s suspected closure and pledged to take enforcement action if any violation of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance was found. The restaurant is part of the Super Star Group in Tsim Sha Tsui. As of 5pm on Tuesday, the Consumer... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3325700/hong-kong-banquet-restaurants-suspected-closure-leaves-wedding-bookings-limbo?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3325700/hong-kong-banquet-restaurants-suspected-closure-leaves-wedding-bookings-limbo?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 16 Sep 2025 07:01:26 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma Hong Kong customs has uncovered its largest money laundering case this year, arresting four individuals involved in suspicious transactions totalling HK$2.6 billion (US$334 million) across more than 50 bank accounts linked to three shell companies. A 25-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman, both employed at different money service operators, together with two male directors of an investment company, were arrested in late August and earlier this month. They were suspected of carrying out... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3325694/4-held-hk26-billion-money-laundering-case-hong-kongs-largest-year?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3325694/4-held-hk26-billion-money-laundering-case-hong-kongs-largest-year?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 16 Sep 2025 06:11:12 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong More than 90 per cent of clay masks tested in Hong Kong have been found to contain heavy metals, with two exceeding safety limits set by mainland China and the United States, according to the city’s consumer watchdog. The Consumer Council on Monday called on manufacturers to improve formulations and increase transparency after tests of 30 products priced from HK$79 to HK$610 (US$10 to US$78) showed that heavy metals were commonly present in ingredient lists. Twenty-eight, or 93.3 per cent,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3325554/93-30-clay-masks-found-contain-heavy-metals-hong-kong-consumer-watchdog?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3325554/93-30-clay-masks-found-contain-heavy-metals-hong-kong-consumer-watchdog?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Sep 2025 05:15:05 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial As the post-pandemic recovery momentum of the aviation industry continues to soar, so does drug trafficking. The seizure of more than HK$479 million (US$61 million) worth of drugs in a joint crackdown by the Hong Kong police and customs underlines the importance of global collaboration in combating the crime. Credit goes not just to the two forces, but also to the authorities on the mainland and overseas jurisdictions that shared intelligence for the operation conducted between June and August.... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3325290/hong-kong-drugs-bust-underscores-why-global-cooperation-key?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3325290/hong-kong-drugs-bust-underscores-why-global-cooperation-key?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 13 Sep 2025 00:24:42 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma Hong Kong police and customs have arrested 96 people and seized more than HK$479 million (US$61 million) worth of drugs in a months-long joint effort, with authorities warning that an increasing number of mainland Chinese and foreign air passengers are being lured into smuggling narcotics. Authorities said on Tuesday that the recruitment of non-local air travellers was part of attempts to confuse investigators, with other tactics including arranging convoluted flight routes to target... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3324095/96-arrested-hk479-million-drugs-seized-hong-kong-police-customs-effort?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3324095/96-arrested-hk479-million-drugs-seized-hong-kong-police-customs-effort?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 02 Sep 2025 13:52:37 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong Hong Kong’s logistics chief has issued a set of guidelines to senior civil servants, urging them to “heighten their alertness” and conduct due diligence to prevent potential fraudulent acts by tenderers and contractors, following a recent drinking water procurement scandal. “In light of the recent incident on procurement of bottled drinking water for which fraud elements involving the contractor are revealed, it is of utmost importance for bureaus and departments to step up efforts to prevent... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3324094/hong-kong-official-calls-heightened-alertness-among-staff-after-water-scandal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3324094/hong-kong-official-calls-heightened-alertness-among-staff-after-water-scandal?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 02 Sep 2025 13:43:31 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen Hong Kong police have unconditionally released a customs officer who was arrested in January after he tried to intercept a motorcyclist who later crashed and died. The police force announced the decision on Thursday almost eight months after the off-duty officer’s action became the subject of widespread debate over its appropriateness and legality. “After further investigation and seeking legal advice, police were informed by the Department of Justice that no criminal prosecution would be... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3323553/hong-kong-customs-officer-unconditionally-released-over-fatal-motorbike-crash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3323553/hong-kong-customs-officer-unconditionally-released-over-fatal-motorbike-crash?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 28 Aug 2025 16:06:12 +0000 Danny Mok Danny Mok Hong Kong customs seized 278 million illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of HK$1.25 billion (US$160.3 million) in more than 80 cases in the first half of the year as part of a cross-regional tobacco smuggling crackdown. The Customs and Excise Department said on Thursday that it had strengthened cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region to curb the inflow of illicit cigarettes since November last year. The 278 million contraband cigarettes seized in 84 large-scale cases during the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3322703/hong-kong-customs-seizes-278-million-cigarettes-tobacco-smuggling-crackdown?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3322703/hong-kong-customs-seizes-278-million-cigarettes-tobacco-smuggling-crackdown?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 21 Aug 2025 14:02:30 +0000 Connor Mycroft Connor Mycroft Smoke grenades, live animals and fresh meat are among the heavily regulated items readily available on mainland Chinese e-commerce sites for delivery to Hong Kong despite an official crackdown, the Post has found. Listings on Taobao and Pinduoduo have been subject to increased scrutiny following the arrest last month of a 13-year-old Hongkonger who allegedly bought smoke grenades online. Sources earlier said that the boy had bought the three smoke grenades for HK$92 (US$11.70) on Pinduoduo on... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3322062/smoke-grenades-live-animals-delivered-hong-kong-how-sellers-evade-crackdown?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3322062/smoke-grenades-live-animals-delivered-hong-kong-how-sellers-evade-crackdown?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 16 Aug 2025 01:00:23 +0000 Danny Mok Danny Mok Hong Kong customs officers have arrested a man who flew in from the Netherlands after 30kg (66lbs) of suspected ketamine and smoking products worth about HK$12 million (US$152,870) were found in his luggage. The 37-year-old man arrived in Hong Kong on Wednesday on a flight from Amsterdam. During clearance, officers from the Customs and Excise Department discovered what they believed were 30kg of ketamine, nine boxes of nicotine pouches containing Part I poison nicotine, and four alternative... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3321141/man-arrested-hong-kong-over-smoking-products-30kg-drugs-found-luggage?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3321141/man-arrested-hong-kong-over-smoking-products-30kg-drugs-found-luggage?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 Aug 2025 15:00:25 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong customs has seized a haul of counterfeit luxury goods worth an estimated HK$44 million (US$5.6 million), including fake Hermes and Chanel handbags and Louis Vuitton and Gucci shoes, which were destined for US and European markets, among others. The Customs and Excise Department said on Thursday that its officers detected 25 cases and confiscated about 67,000 counterfeit items in a joint operation with mainland Chinese and Macau counterparts from July 18 to 31. The seized goods included... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3321114/fake-hermes-chanel-lv-and-gucci-goods-seized-hk44-million-hong-kong-bust?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3321114/fake-hermes-chanel-lv-and-gucci-goods-seized-hk44-million-hong-kong-bust?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 Aug 2025 10:47:32 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma Hong Kong customs will set up an armed escort team and boost collaboration to quickly dispose of tonnes of confiscated drugs kept in a secret warehouse, otherwise some substances may take 35 years to destroy, the agency’s chief has revealed. Commissioner of Customs and Excise Chan Tsz-tat told the Post in an exclusive interview that his department had sped up procedures for disposing of confiscated drugs to enhance efficiency and as a measure to improve internal operations. The head of the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3320613/hong-kong-customs-sets-armed-escort-team-drugs-pile-secret-warehouse?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3320613/hong-kong-customs-sets-armed-escort-team-drugs-pile-secret-warehouse?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 Aug 2025 02:00:12 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma Hong Kong customs has seized HK$4 million (US$512,820) worth of suspected cannabis buds at the airport and arrested two passengers who arrived from Bangkok. A spokesman for the Customs and Excise Department said on Sunday that officers had detected suspected cannabis buds in the check-in suitcases of two men during the clearance process after arrival. “Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug-trafficking activities through intelligence analysis,” the spokesman said. “The... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3320610/2-arrested-hong-kong-customs-seizes-20kg-cannabis-buds-airport?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3320610/2-arrested-hong-kong-customs-seizes-20kg-cannabis-buds-airport?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 Aug 2025 15:52:07 +0000 Lynn Zhang Lynn Zhang Hong Kong customs has arrested two people and seized nearly 250 vials of suspected botulinum toxin for wrinkle treatments, including 20 in a parcel inspected at a border checkpoint. The Customs and Excise Department said on Friday that officers at the Shenzhen Bay control point conducted an X-ray inspection of a parcel declared as carrying body lotion last week and found 20 botulinum toxin injection vials suspected to contain Part 1 poisons, which are regulated under the law. Customs said the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3319655/2-arrested-hong-kong-customs-seizes-249-vials-botulinum-toxin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3319655/2-arrested-hong-kong-customs-seizes-249-vials-botulinum-toxin?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Jul 2025 13:55:50 +0000 Ng Kang-chung Ng Kang-chung Hong Kong customs officers have seized about 9kg (19.8lbs) of suspected narcotics with an estimated market value of HK$8.8 million (US$1.12 million) and arrested a man on suspicion of drug trafficking. The operation took place in San Tin, near Yuen Long in the New Territories, on Friday night. Officers intercepted a man acting suspiciously and discovered about 1.1kg of what was believed to be crack cocaine in a thermal bag he was carrying, according to the Customs and Excise Department. He was... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3316219/hong-kong-man-arrested-over-9kg-narcotics-haul-worth-hk88-million?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3316219/hong-kong-man-arrested-over-9kg-narcotics-haul-worth-hk88-million?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Jun 2025 10:41:34 +0000