Hong Kong Hosts Successful 34th WCO Asia/Pacific Regional Customs Meeting, Fostering Cooperation and Innovation

34th World Customs Organization Asia/Pacific Regional Contact Points Meeting concludes

Hong Kong Customs, starting October 22, held the 34th World Customs Organization (WCO) Asia/Pacific (A/P) Regional Contact Points (RCP) Meeting for four consecutive days, with the meeting concluding today (October 25).

This four-day meeting is the first large-scale regional event hosted by Hong Kong Customs since its assumption of the Vice-Chairpersonship in July this year. The meeting gathered more than 70 representatives from A/P customs administrations as well as from the WCO's regional entities, and included a series of thematic presentations and discussions focusing on A/P regional concerns. Participants explored customs initiatives, enforcement strategies and training experiences from diverse perspectives, while fostering co-operation and information sharing among A/P members.

The meeting started with a welcoming speech delivered on October 22 by the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho, in the capacity of WCO Vice-Chairperson for the A/P Region (APVC). Ms Ho highlighted that the meeting provided an important platform for the A/P members and regional entities to discuss and formulate global policies for the world customs community. Members were able to share ideas and experience, suggest customs initiatives, and stay updated with recent customs developments. She hoped that the commitment and dedication of the A/P family would facilitate regional co-operation to respond to evolving global challenges. Ms Ho also outlined the APVC’s workplan for the coming two years.

In her concluding remarks, as the meeting ended today, Ms Ho reckoned that the four-day meeting had yielded fruitful results. Firstly, the A/P members reaffirmed the regional development strategies for the next two years. Secondly, an innovative concept of utilising blockchain technology to develop a validation platform for regional development was explored during the meeting. Lastly, in-depth discussions on reviewing regional policies were also conducted at the meeting. She expressed appreciation to all delegates for their diligent participation, insightful contributions, and unwavering commitment to driving positive changes in regional development, making the meeting a resounding success.

34th World Customs Organization Asia/Pacific Regional Contact Points Meeting concludes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

34th World Customs Organization Asia/Pacific Regional Contact Points Meeting concludes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

34th World Customs Organization Asia/Pacific Regional Contact Points Meeting concludes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

34th World Customs Organization Asia/Pacific Regional Contact Points Meeting concludes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

34th World Customs Organization Asia/Pacific Regional Contact Points Meeting concludes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

34th World Customs Organization Asia/Pacific Regional Contact Points Meeting concludes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

34th World Customs Organization Asia/Pacific Regional Contact Points Meeting concludes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

34th World Customs Organization Asia/Pacific Regional Contact Points Meeting concludes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects smuggling case involving ocean-going vessel and electronic goods worth about $100 million

Hong Kong Customs on October 15 detected a suspected case of using an ocean-going vessel to smuggle goods to Taichung at the Kwai Chung Container Terminals. A large batch of suspected smuggled electronic goods with an estimated market value of about $100 million was seized.

Through intelligence analysis and risk assessment, Customs discovered that criminals intended to use ocean-going vessels to smuggle goods and thus formulated strategies to combat related activities.

On October 15, Customs officers identified an ocean-going vessel preparing to depart from Hong Kong for Taichung for inspection and seized a large batch of suspected smuggled goods, including computers, household gadgets, smart watches, integrated circuits and circuit boards inside a container which was declared as containing electronic accessories aboard the vessel.

An investigation is ongoing. The likelihood of arrests is not ruled out.

Customs is the primary agency responsible for tackling smuggling activities and has long been combating various smuggling activities on all fronts. 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 related crimes.

Smuggling is a serious offence. 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.

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).

Hong Kong Customs detects smuggling case involving ocean-going vessel and electronic goods worth about $100 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases