Singapore military carriers left off cargo manifest
Amid diplomatic row and Hong Kong customs investigation, claims emerge the shipment breached other local laws
A shipment of Singaporean armoured troop carriers impounded by local authorities last week may have broken more local laws than initially thought.
Importing unmanifested cargo is a violation of Hong Kong’s Import and Export Ordinance and carries a maximum penalty of a seven-year jail term and HK$2 million fine, according to a source with the knowledge of the matter.
The source said the shipping company involved had a duty to declare the type of goods on board its vessel, and that “the case will be handled in accordance with the laws”.
It comes as Hong Kong Customs investigates whether the shipping company APL, the cargo’s consignee or its consigner was responsible for failing to attain the required permit. APL was hired by Singapore Armed Forces to deliver the vehicles back to Singapore after they were used for training in Taiwan.
Under the city’s Import and Export Ordinance, a licence is required for the import, export, re-export or transshipment of strategic commodities. The maximum penalty for failing to obtain a licence is an unlimited fine and seven years imprisonment.