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Leopold Chen

Hong Kong authorities launched 18 joint operations against illicit refuelling stations this year amid a global surge in energy prices, with the customs chief noting that the practice has become increasingly common in urban areas.
But Commissioner for Customs and Excise Chan Tsz-tat said on Saturday that despite the upwards trend, illegal refuelling was not widespread locally.
“The cost of owning a private vehicle in Hong Kong is very high, and petrol prices here are undoubtedly among the highest in the region,” he said.
“For many drivers, the savings from using illicit fuel may not make up a significant portion of their overall expenses.”
Since the United States-Israel attack on Iran broke out in late February, crude oil supply chains have been disrupted as Tehran and Washington took turns blocking the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway leading to the oil-rich Persian Gulf.
Global energy prices have since skyrocketed, with the Brent crude benchmark rising to US$105 per barrel on Saturday, compared with around US$70 in February.
The impact of the surge has also spread to local pump prices, with unleaded petrol from major suppliers priced at more than HK$32 (US$4.10) per litre this week, according to government monitoring data.
Chan said the Customs and Excise Department could only take enforcement action against the smuggling and supply of duty-not-paid petrol, as diesel was not taxed under the law.
However, as illegal refuelling also posed significant fire hazards, the department would share intelligence and conduct joint operations with the Fire Services Department, he added.
The two departments launched 18 joint operations against illegal refuelling between January and March, compared with 25 such operations throughout 2025.

Chan said more than 20,000 litres (5,283 US gallons) of duty-not-paid petrol and 70,000 litres of illicit diesel have been seized this year, while 14 people had been arrested.
The Customs and Excise Department had also intercepted eight vehicles – six private cars and two goods vehicles – that had been illegally modified to carry and dispense illicit petrol at border checkpoints this year, he added.
Chan said the department would take the “toughest stance” against duty-not-paid petrol, with both suppliers and customers subject to prosecution, and would also apply to the courts to forfeit vehicles involved.
“Those seeking small gains by patronising illegal fuel stations should think twice, as they risk losing their vehicles and facing criminal liability,” he said.
Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, the maximum penalty upon conviction for supplying or buying duty-not-paid petrol is a fine of HK$1 million and two years’ imprisonment.
But purchasing diesel or duty-paid petrol from illicit stations is not currently a criminal offence.
Chan said on Saturday that the Fire Services Department was proposing amendments to relevant laws to grant it “similar enforcement powers”, including the power to apply for the forfeiture of the vehicles involved.
The South China Morning Post earlier reported that the Security Bureau was seeking to amend the Fire Services (Fire Hazard Abatement) Regulation to introduce legal liability for buyers of diesel from illicit stations, as well as heavier penalties for sellers.
The maximum penalty proposed for buyers of illicit diesel would be a HK$1 million fine and one year’s imprisonment, a government source said.
The bureau has also proposed tougher penalties for sellers, increasing the maximum fine for a first conviction from HK$100,000 to HK$3 million and raising the maximum jail term from six months to three years, the SCMP has learned.


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‘Toughest stance’: Hong Kong launches 18 operations against illegal fuel stations

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong authorities launched 18 joint operations against illicit refuelling stations this year amid a global energy price surge. Photo: Sam Tsang

Customs and the Fire Services Department launched 18 joint operations against illegal refuelling from January to March. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong police seize 1,600 litres of diesel, arrest 1 in raid of illegal fuel site

Hong Kong authorities seized 1,600 litres of diesel, worth HK$50,000 from an illegal fuel station. Photo: Fire Service Department

Hong Kong weighs tougher enforcement against illegal fuel sales as prices soar

Law enforcement agencies have ramped up raids on illegal diesel and petrol stations in the city in recent months. Photo: Handout

Secretary for Security Chris Tang. Photo: Karma Lo

News

Hong Kong

Law and Crime

Customs chief Chan Tsz-tat says the practice has become increasingly common in urban areas


Customs chief Chan Tsz-tat says the practice has become increasingly common in urban areas.


Chan Tsz-tat

United States

Israel

China

‘Toughest stance’: Hong Kong launches 18 operations against illegal fuel stations

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Customs chief Chan Tsz-tat says the practice has become increasingly common in urban areas

Customs chief Chan Tsz-tat says the practice has become increasingly common in urban areas