Author Archives: hksar gov

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (March 27) detected a case involving a local company that conducted multiple transactions of precious stones and diamond jewelleries, with each transaction valued at over HK$120,000, without registration under the Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Regulatory Regime. A 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 to a maximum fine of HK$100,000 and imprisonment for six months upon conviction.
      
     Hong Kong Customs reminds all dealers that the transitional period for registration under the Regime has ended. Any dealers in precious metals and stones must 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 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002). read more

     â€‹The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (March 28) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about outbreaks of highly … read more

     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, continued his visit to Beijing today (March 28).
 
     Mr Yau visited a renowned pop cultural entertainment company on the Mainland and toured its thematic park this morning. Specialising in popular intellectual property (IP) artistic toys, the company has successfully commercialised IP in cultural and creative industries, with a number of products gaining popularity both domestically and globally. Mr Yau also met with representatives of the company to learn about its operation and the development of IP products on the Mainland.
 
     Noting that the effective protection and efficient transaction of IP is crucial to promoting the development of cultural and creative industries as well as technological innovation, Mr Yau said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is taking forward a series of initiatives to protect the fruits of innovation and creativity to promote IP trading and strengthen training of IP talent, thereby pressing ahead with the development of Hong Kong into a regional IP trading centre.
 
     In the afternoon, Mr Yau met with representatives of the China Alcoholic Drinks Association to promote Hong Kong’s immense opportunities for wine merchants following the deduction in liquor duty. He said that the two-tier system announced in last October’s Policy Address has effectively promoted high-end liquor trade, with increases recorded in both the quantity and value of liquor imported.
 
     He pointed out that Mainland wine and liquor products, especially Chinese baijiu, are highly regarded in the global market in recent years, showing great market potential and room for growth. He added that Hong Kong could serve as a key hub for trading and distribution of high-end liquor, including Chinese baijiu, and Mainland wine merchants are encouraged to use Hong Kong as a platform for Chinese baijiu to go global.
 
     Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong tomorrow afternoon (March 29).

        

     Police will implement special traffic arrangements in various districts during the Ching Ming Festival period to facilitate grave sweepers, and to ensure smooth vehicular traffic movements and pedestrian safety. Hong Kong Is… read more

    ​ Hongkong Post announced today (March 28) that, due to the impact of an earthquake, mail delivery services to Myanmar are subject to delay. read more