Hong Kong Customs Arrests Director of Unregistered Jewellery Company Over HK$120,000 Transaction, Emphasizes Registration Compliance for Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones.
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 9) detected a case involving a local company that conducted a jewellery transaction with a total value exceeding HK$120,000 without being registered under the Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Regulatory Regime. The sole director of the company was arrested.
The investigation is ongoing. The arrested person has been released on bail pending further investigation.
According to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615), the Regime came into effect on April 1, 2023. Any person who is seeking to carry on a business of dealing in precious metals and stones in Hong Kong and engage in any transaction(s) (whether making or receiving a payment) with a total value at or above HK$120,000 in Hong Kong is required to register with the Commissioner of Customs and Excise. Any dealer, other than a registrant, who claims to be a registrant, claims to be authorised to carry out, or carries out any cash or non-cash transaction(s) with a total value at or above HK$120,000 is liable, upon conviction, to a maximum fine of HK$100,000 and imprisonment for six months.
Hong Kong Customs reminds all dealers in precious metals and stones that the transitional period for registration under the Regime has ended. Any dealer who submits their applications for registration from January 1, 2024, onwards must successfully obtain the relevant registration before they can carry out any cash or non-cash transaction(s) with a total value at or above HK$120,000.
For the forms, procedures and guidelines to submit applications for registration, please visit the website for Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Registration System (www.drs.customs.gov.hk) or Hong Kong Customs' webpage (www.customs.gov.hk/en/service-enforcement-information/anti-money-laundering/supervision-of-dealers-in-precious-metals-and-ston/index.html).
Members of the public may report any suspected transactions involving precious metals and stones with a total value at or above HK$120,000 conducted without the required registration to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Source: AI-generated images
Immigration Headquarters Opening Ceremony
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (August 3), officiated at the opening ceremony of the new Immigration Headquarters located in Tseung Kwan O.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Chan recalled that during his tenure as the Director of Immigration, he had repeated in-depth discussions with his colleagues in the Immigration Department and officers of the Government Property Agency, and it was finally decided to build a new headquarters for the Immigration Department (ImmD) in Tseung Kwan O. He also said that the new headquarters, which was near the Tseung Kwan O and Tiu Keng Leng MTR Stations and was easily accessible by various modes of public transport, would bring convenience to the public in using the services of the ImmD.
Mr Chan also said that relocating the headquarters was absolutely no easy task. All ImmD staff members must be united as one. Every process of the project, from design to preparation and implementation of the relocation plan, was carried out with meticulous attention to detail to ensure that the services and operation of the department would not be affected by the relocation. The new headquarters have commenced operation without hiccups, and credit must go to all colleagues in the ImmD for their commendable efforts.
Mr Chan emphasised that as the time changes, the responsibilities and services provided by the ImmD are also ever increasing. He hoped that the ImmD would continue to uphold four principles in its work,namely to steadfastlystrengthen the defence for safeguarding national security; to zealously innovate and seek breakthroughs; to vigorously promote the economic development of Hong Kong; and to proactively integrate into the national development.
The Director of Immigration, Mr Benson Kwok, thanked the Chief Secretary for Administration and the guests for attending the Opening Ceremony and witnessing the historical moment of the Immigration Department. On the other hand, Mr Kwok said, "The Immigration Headquarters consists of two buildings, namely the Administration Tower and the Enforcement Tower. It represents the image of the Immigration Department that places equal importance on service provision and law enforcement, and symbolizes the Department's firm commitment to serving the public and striving to maintain the stability and prosperity of the country and Hong Kong."
The Immigration Headquarters, located at 61 Po Yap Road, Tseung Kwan O, has commenced operation on June 11, 2024 to provide services to the public.
For information on public transport services for travelling to the Immigration Headquarters and the opening hours of its offices, please visit the following webpage:www.immd.gov.hk/eng/imm_hq.html
Immigration Headquarters Opening Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Immigration Headquarters Opening Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Immigration Headquarters Opening Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
