Hong Kong customs finds endangered turtles in US parcels
HK01 · 5 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong Customs said it found live turtles suspected to be controlled endangered species in two separate airport parcel cases involving shipments from the United States. In the latest case on 31 October, officers inspecting two parcels declared as plastic household products found 10 live turtles with an estimated market value of about HK$100,000. Earlier, on 28 October, customs officers checked two US parcels declared as plush toys and building blocks and found eight live turtles valued at about HK$54,000. Both cases were referred to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up.
Key Points
- Customs said the 31 October seizure followed risk assessment screening at Hong Kong International Airport on two US parcels declared as plastic household products.
- Officers found 10 live turtles in those two parcels, suspected to be controlled endangered species, with an estimated total market value of HK$100,000.
- In an earlier airport case on 28 October, customs inspected two US parcels declared as plush toys and building blocks.
- That earlier inspection uncovered eight live turtles suspected to be controlled endangered species, with an estimated combined value of about HK$54,000.
- Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, offenders face up to HK$10 million in fines and 10 years' imprisonment.
Why It Matters
The back-to-back airport parcel cases show how endangered animals can be concealed in ordinary declared goods entering Hong Kong by air cargo. For Hong Kong readers, the legal stakes are severe because importing, exporting or possessing endangered species outside the ordinance can lead to confiscation, heavy fines and jail.