Enhanced enforcement:
X-ray machines have been installed at control points to speed up baggage inspections.
Enhanced enforcement:
X-ray machines have been installed at control points to speed up baggage inspections.
10 arrested for formula smuggling
March 01, 2013
Customs officers have arrested eight Hong Kong residents and two Mainlanders for breaching the new regulation on the export of powdered formula, which is now in effect.
Speaking at an inspection visit to the Lok Ma Chau Spurline today, Customs & Excise Department Assistant Commissioner (Boundary & Ports) Yu Koon-hing said nearly 200 additional officers have been deployed, and 14 X-ray machines have been installed at nine control points.
The new Import & Export (General)(Amendment) Regulation, which took effect today, prohibits the unlicensed export of powdered formula, including milk powder and soya milk powder, for infants and children under 36 months.
As at 2pm, customs officers had seized 53 cans of powdered formula. The largest single haul was 15 cans.
Mr Yu said the department has worked with its Shenzhen counterparts to gather intelligence, adding the Police and the Immigration Department will also assist in enforcement. A task force of several dozen customs officers will be stationed at control points to shorten clearance time, he said.
A large-scale publicity campaign was launched on February 27, in which posters, banners and leaflets were distributed, along with broadcasting at departure halls and control points.
The regulation allows for up to 1.8kg to be exported in the accompanied personal baggage of a person leaving Hong Kong. However, the person must be over the age of 16 and must not have left Hong Kong in the last 24 hours.
Offenders face two-year's jail and a $500,000 fine.
