Nine parallel traders arrested with HK$160,000 worth of goods near mainland Chinese border in Hong Kong
- Police noticed parallel traders had switched method by gathering and sorting goods in Tin Shui Wai before leaving for Shenzhen Bay Port
- Parallel trading causes traffic congestion, public hygiene issues and nuisance, police say
Nine people have been arrested with tax-free goods worth HK$160,000 following a police operation to crack down on parallel trading in Tin Shui Wai, close to the Hong Kong-mainland China border.
The operation on Thursday came after similar police action at the Shenzhen Bay border checkpoint, when at least two mainland Chinese people were arrested with HK$130,000 of goods from Hong Kong.
The Shenzhen Bay Port in Shekou, Shenzhen has a Hong Kong port area administrated by the Hong Kong government.
“Following several operations, police noticed parallel traders changed their method by gathering and sorting goods in the district of Tin Shui Wai before leaving for Shenzhen Bay Port to cross the border,” said a police statement issued on Friday morning.
Parallel traders buy stock tax-free in Hong Kong and resell it in mainland China at a profit.
The emergence and prevalence of the business along Hong Kong’s border with Shenzhen has created tension in the city for years with traders blamed for occupying public space, pushing up prices and putting independent shops out of business in favour of chains.
