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Customs seizes record HK$230 million in gold and silver hidden in air cargo

South China Morning PostEN 1 min read 100% complete by Jess MaMarch 5, 2026 at 12:20 PM
Customs seizes record HK$230 million in gold and silver hidden in air cargo
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Hong Kong customs seized a record HK$230 million (US$29.4 million) worth of gold and silver hidden in air cargo destined for Japan on Monday. The precious metals, 168kg of gold foil and 285kg of silver foil, were concealed within two shipments of household cleaning machines. Customs officers intercepted the cargo at the airport after a risk assessment and noticing unusual density in X-ray scans of the 138 boxes. The seizure is the largest of its kind, reflecting an upward trend in precious metal smuggling due to soaring gold and silver prices amid global uncertainty. The Customs and Excise Department has been monitoring and actively combating this trend.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context
United States 50% Japan 60% Chan Wing-yin 60% Ho Ting-chun ×270% Customs and Excise Department 80% Hong Kong 90%

Keywords

gold 100% silver 100% smuggling 90% customs seizure 80% precious metals 70% air cargo 70% hong kong 60% price increase 50% risk assessment 40%

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Neutral
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South China Morning Post
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90%

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goldsilversmugglingcustoms seizureprecious metalsair cargohong kongprice increaserisk assessment
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