Hong Kong Customs detected a case involving a passenger smuggling endangered species at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) on June 27 and seized 777 eggs of suspected scheduled endangered bird species, with an estimated market value of about $10.9 million.
A 27-year-old Chinese male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Thailand on June 27. He was intercepted for Customs clearance at the arrival hall of HKIA. Customs officers found the batch of bird eggs concealed in metal boxes inside his carry-on baggage. Upon inspection by officers of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), the bird eggs were suspected to be endangered species listed in the Appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and regulated under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) in Hong Kong.
The case has been handed over to the AFCD for follow-up action. Hong Kong Customs reminds the public not to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong.
Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person 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 with the specimens forfeited.
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/).
