What a waste: Customs officers have seized $920,000 worth of hazardous electronic waste and smuggled goods from an inbound container from Canada.

Customs officers have seized $920,000 worth of hazardous electronic waste and smuggled goods from an inbound 40-foot container from Canada, in a joint operation with the Environmental Protection Department.

While examining the consignment, declared as metal scraps, at Kwai Chung Container Terminal at 4pm yesterday, officers found unmanifested software CDs, computer monitors and accessories, 30 used TV sets, 265 cathode-ray tubes and 330 used computer monitors.

With the aid of the Mobile X-ray Vehicle Scanning System, officers have successfully intercepted 48 inbound consignments containing controlled e-wastes, with a total value of about $4.9 million.

Under the Import & Export Ordinance, importing unmanifested cargo warrants a maximum penalty of a $2 million fine and seven years jail. The maximum penalty for importing hazardous electronic waste without proper import permits under the Waste Disposal Ordinance is a $200,000 fine and six months jail.