The Macau Customs Service and the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ) announced in a joint statement on Easter Monday that they are setting up an early warning mechanism to prevent youngsters from engaging in in parallel trading.
According to the statement, in order to address the issue of high-risk behaviour among students moonlighting as parallel traders, both authorities, in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies and education organisations, have decided to establish a mechanism called “Interdepartmental Collaboration to Foster a Protective Network for Youth Development”. The initiative aims to set up a warning mechanism to prevent young people from engaging in parallel trading.
In Hong Kong and Macau, parallel trading is customarily regarded as a kind of smuggling when individuals – such as retirees and students – carry small quantities of goods across border checkpoints multiple times a day to avoid duties.
In general, analysts point out, Customs authorities view parallel trading as the importation or exportation of genuine goods through unauthorised distribution channels for profit, often exploiting individual visitor status for high-frequency, small-volume transport. While importing these goods is generally lawful, it becomes illegal when it involves violating import/export regulations, tax evasion, or falsely selling these goods as “authorised products”.
The statement noted that DSEDJ officials and Customs Service officers have begun holding legal awareness lectures in schools to address the issue. By explaining relevant laws and presenting real-life case studies, the lectures aim to inform students about the serious personal consequences of engaging in parallel trading, as well as to strengthen their ability to recognise and resist being used for such activities, the statement pointed out.
Additionally, the statement also said that during the long holiday for Ching Ming Festival and Easter (April 3-7), the two entities carried out public education campaigns at the Border Gate checkpoint, raising awareness among young people and parents about the personal responsibilities and potential repercussions of participating in parallel trading.
In order to curb the exploitation of young people by individuals engaging in illegal activities, the statement said, both authorities were preparing to issue a “Letter to Parents”.
The upcoming letter aims to strengthen legal guidance for parents, helping them understand the legal risks of “parallel trading” and its harmful effects on their children’s development, the statement said, adding that the letter seeks to guide parents in paying closer attention to their children’s daily behaviour, social circles, and activities during holiday periods.
This poster released by the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ) and the Macau Customs Service on Monday aims to raise awareness among youngsters of Macau’s External Trade Law. Translation arranged by the Post.
