Hong Kong seizes 1,300 refrigerant cylinders

HONG KONG: Authorities in Hong Kong have seized 1,300 cylinders of suspected smuggled refrigerant with an estimated market value of HK$6.4m (US$822,000, €713,000).

The joint operation involving Hong Kong Customs and the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) identified a seaborne container, bound for Hong Kong from the United States and declared as carrying laminate flooring. On arrival, last Thursday (November 20), and opening of the container, customs and environmental protection officers discovered a shipment of refrigerant.

Photographs suggest that the shipment included R410A, R454B and the ozone-depleting HCFC R22.

This case is suspected of violating Hong Kong’s import and export and the ozone layer protection ordinance regulations. 

Customs and the EPD are conducting follow-up investigations, and state that the likelihood of arrest is not ruled out. Under the import and export ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of HK$2m (US$257,000, €223,000) and seven years’ imprisonment. Under the ozone layer protection laws, the import, export, or re-export of any controlled ozone depleting substances is subject to registration and a licensing system. Any breach of these laws are subject to a maximum fine of HK$1m (US$128,500, €111,500) and two years’ imprisonment.