Jail term for infant formula smuggler

Hong Kong Customs has issued a reminder to travellers not to exceed statutory limits on infant milk formula across the border.
The warning follows a four-month jail sentence handed down to a 41-year-old infant formula smuggler in the Fanling Magistrates’ Court last week.
Regulations were imposed in 2013 to discourage the retail sale of formula for children under 36 months old to Mainland Chinese shoppers after supplies were becoming limited for Hongkongers.
The infant formula smuggler convicted last week was caught with 28.6kg of powder – substantially more than the 1.8kg allowed per person – when intercepted by Customs officers on September 8 at the departure hall of Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point.  
Under the Import and Export (General)(Amendment) Regulation 2013, it is an offence to export powdered formula, including milk powder and soya milk powder, for infants and children under 36 months without a licence. To allow a reasonable quantity for personal use, the prohibition does not apply to powdered formula not exceeding 1.8 kg in total net weight that is exported in the accompanied personal baggage of a person leaving Hong Kong. However, the person must be aged 16 or above and must not have left Hong Kong in the previous 24 hours. Offenders may face a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years upon conviction.
“The C&ED will continue to crack down on powdered formula smuggling at boundary control points, and to detect syndicated activities and trace stores for smuggling powdered formula,” Customs said in a statement.
“The department will also strengthen bilateral co-operation with Mainland Customs, including exchange of information, and conduct of joint operations as necessary.”
Between March 2013 and August 2016, 15,012 people have been convicted for contravention of the regulation. Among them, 895 persons were sentenced to immediate imprisonment from between one day and 180 days, and 1139 persons were sentenced to imprisonment of four days to 10 months suspended from 12 months to 36 months.

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