What Changed
- The District Court sentenced a passenger to 10 months' imprisonment for illegal import of CITES-scheduled dried shark fins.
- Customs intercepted 52 kilograms of endangered shark fins valued at $200,000 transported from Brazil via Ethiopia.
- The court applied a 15-month starting point, reduced by one-third following the defendant's guilty plea.
On October 16, 2026, a 29-year-old Chinese woman was convicted at the District Court in Hong Kong SAR for violating the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) and sentenced to 10 months' imprisonment. The ruling highlights the strict border controls and legal liabilities affecting international travellers, commercial traders, and logistics operators carrying regulated animal specimens into Hong Kong SAR.
According to a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), the passenger arrived at Hong Kong International Airport from Brazil via Ethiopia on March 22, 2026. During luggage inspection, Hong Kong Customs officers intercepted a batch of suspected scheduled dried shark fins inside her luggage. Subsequent examination by AFCD officers confirmed that the items were scheduled dried shark fins weighing approximately 52 kilograms, with an estimated market value of around $200,000. The AFCD subsequently prosecuted the passenger for the illegal import of specimens of endangered species.
At the District Court, the judge established a starting point of 15 months' imprisonment for sentencing. Following a one-third sentence reduction granted in consideration of the defendant's guilty plea, the final sentence was set at 10 months' imprisonment. Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586), species listed in the Appendices to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), including designated shark and ray species, are strictly regulated in Hong Kong. Unlawful import, export, or possession of controlled specimens constitutes a criminal offence punishable upon conviction by a maximum fine of $10 million, up to 10 years' imprisonment, and mandatory forfeiture of the specimens.
The AFCD emphasized that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government remains committed to enforcing protection for endangered species. The AFCD and Hong Kong Customs stated they will maintain joint vigilance to monitor and combat illegal wildlife trafficking across borders.
Who May Be Affected
International passengers, wildlife traders, and cross-border transport operators moving regulated fauna and flora into Hong Kong SAR.
Cross-Border Context
The illegal wildlife shipment originated in Brazil, transited through Ethiopia, and arrived at Hong Kong International Airport.
What to check next
- Regulations on controlled endangered species in Hong Kong SAR at www.cites.hk
This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Consult the official text and obtain advice appropriate to your circumstances where needed.