Free or not? That depends on how you go to see it! If you accidentally do not pay attention to the relevant laws and regulations, you will be fined! Or pay attention, including those who seek absolute freedom.
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Mainland tourists entering Hong Kong are subject to hefty fines! Shout, "I'd rather go to free jail food"!
Recently, some netizens shared that they were fined 6773.9 Hong Kong dollars by customs when they entered Hong Kong, and they couldn't help but call this experience a "painful lesson", and the high fine made her even more shocked, laughing "Tell the truth, I would rather go to free prison meals."
It happened on May 4.
The netizen said that according to past experience, you can bring 2 cigarettes tax-free back to China from Japan, and she also asked her friends before leaving for Hong Kong, and the other party said that she could bring cigarettes, so she didn't think much about it, took 2 cigarettes to Macao first, but unexpectedly "something happened" when she entered Hong Kong.
Since she did not make a customs declaration for cigarettes when she entered Hong Kong, the customs officer in Hong Kong took her aside, asked to open the suitcase for inspection, and soon found 2 cigarettes, and the customs officer issued a ticket on the spot, indicating that if she refused to pay the fine, she would go to jail.
According to the fine, the fine for "possession of dutiable goods" was $4,773.9 and for "failing to make a declaration, or making a false or incomplete declaration" was $2,000.
If this netizen makes a normal customs declaration, the tax that needs to be paid for 381 cigarettes is 954.786 Hong Kong dollars.
However, the netizen did not take the initiative to declare, and also had to pay a fine of 2,000 Hong Kong dollars, and the additional tax paid would become 5 times, a total of 6773.9 Hong Kong dollars.
△Customs fine receipt
After seeing the bill, netizens were distressed, and their hearts were OS: Tell the truth, I'd rather go to free prison meals.
Finally, the customs officer took her to the place where she exchanged the currency, where she paid the money in renminbi, paid the fine and was released.
Today, I will talk about what you cannot bring in and out of Hong Kong.
Tax-free tobacco and alcohol
According to the Dutiable Goods Ordinance (Cap. 109), travellers bringing alcohol or tobacco in excess of the exempt quantity into the country should use the red channel to declare to the Customs and Excise Department.
Drinking alcohol
Passengers aged 18 or above may bring 1 litre of spirits containing more than 30% alcohol into Hong Kong duty-free for their own use. Passengers with Hong Kong status must leave Hong Kong for at least 24 hours to enjoy the above exemption.
tobacco
Passengers aged 18 or above are allowed to carry 19 cigarettes; or 1 cigar entering Hong Kong, if more than 1 cigar, the total weight does not exceed 25g; or 25 grams of other made tobacco. If you bring more than the exempt amount of tobacco into the country, you need to declare it to the customs officer using the red channel.
Offenders may be punished: a maximum fine of HK$1 million and imprisonment for 2 years.
Alternative smoking products
Alternative smoking products, including appliances, or their parts and accessories, and any substances used in the device to produce aerosol, such as e-liquid, herbal cigarettes, etc., are not allowed!
Offenders may be punished: up to HK$50,000 and 6 months' imprisonment.
Of course, Hong Kong does not care if it takes advantage of Hong Kong to transfer opportunities.
Food chapter
Meat-related (game, meat, poultry or eggs) entry requires a health certificate issued by the issuing authority of origin and/or prior written approval from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.
Offenders may be punished: up to HK$50,000 and 6 months' imprisonment.
Drugs
In principle, a permit issued by the Department of Health is required to bring controlled drugs into or out of Hong Kong.
Passengers who carry medication in their personal carry-on baggage for their reasonable personal use are exempt from the permit.
In addition, dangerous drugs, antibiotics or first poisons require a doctor's prescription.
Offenders may be subject to penalties: up to HK$5 million and life imprisonment.
Common drugs are: painkillers such as bili pain, antibiotics, aphrodisiacs, eszolam (sullodiapam), zopiclone (white melon seeds), etc.
Infant formula
Under the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60), it is unlawful for passengers to bring formula powder (including milk powder or soy milk powder) for infants and young children under 36 months without an export licence or exemption.
Passengers aged 16 and above who have not left the country within the past 24 hours are exempt from carrying up to 1.8kg of formula milk per person (net weight, equivalent to approximately two cans).
Violators may be punished: up to HK$500,000 and 2 years' imprisonment.
Cash
More than 120,000 to be declared: Passengers arriving in Hong Kong at designated control points who are in possession of large quantities of currency and bearer negotiable instruments (cash items) (i.e. whose total value is higher than HK$120,000) are required to make a paper declaration to the Customs and Excise Department using the red channel.
Violators may be punished: up to HK$500,000 and 2 years' imprisonment.
Souvenirs
Passengers bringing endangered species of animals and plants into or out of the country must apply for a permit issued by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department in advance.
Common animals and plants or their derivatives are: orchids, rhinoceros horn, agarwood, ivory, American ginseng, seahorses, etc. All precious, rare and rare animals and plants, supplements, should be cautious.
Violators may be punished: a maximum fine of HK$10 million and 10 years' imprisonment.
Dangerous goods
Mainly fireworks, controlled knives, electronic sticks, firearms and ammunition, darts and other items are not allowed to be brought into the country.
Fireworks offenders may be punished: up to HK$25,000 and 6 years' imprisonment.
Last month, a 28-year-old woman surnamed Wu was arrested on suspicion of illegal possession of fireworks and detained for investigation after returning to Hong Kong after visiting Japan.
Penalties may be imposed on offenders such as controlled knives and darts: a maximum fine of HK$10,000 and imprisonment of 3 years.
Penalties may be imposed for violations of firearms and ammunition: up to HK$100,000 and 14 years' imprisonment.
Flora and fauna
Animals/plants (except exempt)"/plant pests and diseases and mud must be in possession of a permit, licence or authorization letter issued in advance by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
General exemption: Plants produced in and imported from any place in China outside Hong Kong are not required for import licences, as are cut flowers and edible fruits/vegetables.
Offenders may be punished: up to HK$50,000 and 1 year's imprisonment.
In addition, when visiting Hong Kong, there are some things you cannot do, otherwise you will face fines or imprisonment.
Many places in Hong Kong are smoke-free, and smoking in non-smoking areas is punishable by a fine of HK$1,500.
Littering and spitting is subject to a fine of HK$1,500. If you smoke in a non-smoking area and then litter cigarette butts, the fine becomes 1500+1500=3000.
Eating in the MTR is fined HK$2,000.
There are also many bizarre fines, such as: a fine of 2,000 Hong Kong dollars for putting your feet on the seat; a fine of HK$5,000 for delirium (e.g. intoxication); Fine 2,000 Hong Kong dollars for loitering in MTR...
Feeding wild animals is also punishable. Under the Ordinance, any person who illegally feeds wild animals in a no-feeding zone is liable on conviction to a fine of up to HK$10,000.
There are also running red lights, riding minibuses without seat belts...
Has everyone remembered?