Hong Kong Ordinances

SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL ORDINANCE - SECT 55

Recovery of port dues by seizure

(1) If the owner or his agent or the master of a vessel fails on demand to pay
any port dues payable in respect of the vessel, the Director may, without
prejudice to section 54, board the vessel and seize the goods, tackle, or any
thing belonging to, or on board, the vessel, and detain such goods, tackle or
thing until the port dues are paid.

(2) If payment of the port dues is not made within the 3 days following the
seizure, the Director may, at any time during the continuance of the
non-payment, cause the goods, tackle or thing seized to be appraised by 2
persons (other than public officers) appointed for that purpose by the
Director, and thereupon sell the same and apply the proceeds in payment of the
port dues and all reasonable expenses incurred by him under this section, and
pay the balance (if any) on demand to the owner or master of the vessel.