Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Thursday, Jul 03, 2025

Hong Kong customs seizes 6.5 tonnes of protected wood during cargo inspection

Hong Kong customs seizes 6.5 tonnes of protected wood during cargo inspection

Container was going from the Middle East to Taiwan via Hong Kong, customs department says.

More than six tonnes of suspected protected wood with an estimated value of HK$4.1 million (US$522,000) was found hidden in a shipping container on its way from the Middle East to Taiwan via Hong Kong, the Customs and Excise Department revealed on Tuesday.

The 6.5-tonne haul of what appeared to be red sandalwood was uncovered on Monday when the container was opened for inspection at the Kwai Chung cargo examination compound.

“Through risk assessment, customs officers [on Monday] selected for inspection a seaborne transshipment container arriving from the United Arab Emirates en route to Taiwan via Hong Kong,” the department said. “Upon inspection, customs officers found the batch of suspected red sandalwood inside the container.”

The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for a follow-up investigation.

Red sandalwood, known as “red gold” because of its high value, is often used for making luxury furniture and carvings.

It is listed as endangered under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. In Hong Kong, importing or exporting endangered wood without a permit carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail and a HK$10 million fine.

Customs urged members of the public to report suspected smuggling activities to its 24-hour hotline on 2545 6182.

On March 16, a haul of 4.67 tonnes of suspected red sandalwood, which had been declared to be woven fabric, was found hidden in a seaborne container shipped into the city from Malaysia.

On the same day, customs officers at the airport’s cargo terminal seized half a tonne of suspected red sandalwood in an air consignment from India.

The 5.17 tonnes of protected wood was estimated to be worth HK$7.15 million, according to the department.

This year’s biggest haul in terms of monetary value was made on January 21 when customs officers found 3.37 tonnes of red sandalwood valued at HK$17 million hidden in an air consignment from Dubai.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Iran Executes Alleged Israeli Spies and Arrests Hundreds Amid Post-War Crackdown
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
Qatar Airways Clears Backlog of Passengers Following Missile Threats
Iran's Parliament Votes to Suspend Cooperation with Nuclear Watchdog
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
NATO Leaders Endorse Plan for Increased Defence Spending
U.S. Crude Oil Prices Drop Below $65 Amid Market Volatility
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Oman Set to Introduce Personal Income Tax, First in Gulf
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Trump Praises Iran’s ‘Very Weak’ Response After U.S. Strikes and Presses Israel to Pursue Peace
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' Targeting Iranian Nuclear and Military Sites
Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Vessel Carrying Greta Thunberg
×