Parallel importers scoff at baggage weight limit
People who lug boxes of goods across border crossings say new weight rule won't stand in their way
Defiant mainland parallel importers said yesterday they would carry on their trade between Hong Kong and Shenzhen despite the MTR Corporation imposing a baggage weight limit.
Some of the 30 traders gathered at Sheung Shui said the 32kg limit being introduced today could cause chaos in crowded stations as passengers would have to line up to have their bags weighed.
They also predicted outbursts of anger from ordinary tourists on their way home with bags full of shopping if they were forced to leave some items behind. "Scuffles will probably break out," one woman said.
Under the rule, introduced as part of efforts to curb the activities of parallel traders, passengers passing through the wide luggage gates at four busy stations near the border - Sheung Shui, Fanling, Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau - must have their bags weighed.
Those exceeding the weight limit will be asked to use another form of transportation.
Previous rules allowed a single piece of baggage of up to 170 sq cm with no weight limit.
"I will keep coming," one Shenzhen man declared. "The station will definitely be crowded tomorrow with many people waiting in line to have their baggage weighed. Let's see how many staff are needed."
