A recent investigation by Sing Tao Daily, The Standard's sister publication, revealed several mainland meat vendors were smuggling fresh meat to the city's hotpot enthusiasts by disguising it among other shipments through cross-border logistics companies.

On the mainland social media platform Xiaohongshu, there is a growing advertisement promoting "fresh sliced beef" delivery.

This includes a range of cuts such as marbled beef, beef shank, rib cap, beef chuck, beef brisket, and tongue—all raw except for pre-cooked beef balls—available from stores in Shenzhen and Zhongshan.

Posing as a customer, a Sing Tao reporter contacted a seller via WeChat, who provided a price list ranging from 30 to 258 yuan per 500 grams for different beef parts, adding a 13-yuan-per-kilogram packaging cost and a 100-yuan delivery fee.

A customer in Hong Kong, surnamed Chan, decided to try the delivery service for its convenience. He noted that the beef arrived the next day packed in vacuum-sealed bags with ice packs, praising the meat for being fresher and significantly cheaper than what is available in Hong Kong.

Concealed within other products to circumvent inspections

Due to regulations on transporting raw meat to the city, a beef vendor in Shenzhen reportedly partnered with cross-border logistics companies to smuggle the meat by mixing it with other goods.

Following the positive feedback and rising trend of Hong Kong citizens to shop for groceries across the border, other vendors adopted similar strategies, with some even posting videos of blindfolded butchers skillfully slicing beef to attract more customers.

In addition to beef, some vendors also offered fresh meat deliveries featuring goat, chicken, duck, goose, and even wild boar.

Authorities warn of severe penalties

According to the spokesperson of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), anyone importing frozen meat, chilled meat, frozen poultry, or chilled poultry without an import license issued by the department could face a fine of HK$500,000 and a two-year imprisonment.

Under the Imported Game, Meat, Poultry and Eggs Regulations(Cap. 132AK), anyone bringing any game, meat, poultry or eggs into the city without health certificates or written permission by relevant authorities could face maximum penalties of HK$50,000 and six-month imprisonment.

While the FEHD spokesperson reported no cases of smuggled meat via mail services from 2024 to April this year, the department prosecuted 1,480 individuals in 2023 for illegally carrying meat into Hong Kong, seizing a total of 8.9 tonnes.

Notably, there was a 32.5 percent year-on-year increase in the number of cases in the first four months of 2025, with 444 cases leading to the seizure of 2.2 tonnes of food.

Furthermore, Hong Kong Customs has indicated that strict inspections will be conducted at border checkpoints and ongoing collaboration with the FEHD will be maintained to combat the illegal importation of food, emphasizing that any vacuum-packed regulated food is subject to regulations.

The Customs also stated that anyone selling restricted food without written permission would face prosecution, potentially resulting in a criminal record.

Smuggling of beef cuts to HK surges as mainland vendors disguise deliveries