Jump in illegal refuelling complaints as Hong Kong grapples with rising oil prices

Hong Kong is facing a sharp rise in illegal fuel operations, with authorities receiving 221 complaints about illicit petrol stations in just the first two months of 2026. This averages to 111 complaints per month, marking a 42% increase compared to the monthly average in 2025. Enforcement actions have escalated even more dramatically, with prosecutions jumping 85% year-over-year. Fire Services divisional officer Ng Wing-chit noted that illegal operators have adapted their tactics, moving from large-scale stationary stations to smaller, scattered operations using modified vehicles and shipping containers as mobile refuelling points, making detection significantly more difficult for authorities.

The surge in black-market fuel activity is directly linked to soaring global oil prices, which have breached $100 per barrel. This price shock stems from the ongoing US-Israel war with Iran, which has effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz—a critical maritime chokepoint responsible for transporting 20% of the world's oil supply. The resulting market volatility has sharply increased local fuel costs. According to the Consumer Council's tracker, the standard petrol pump price across Hong Kong's five major operators reached HK$31.09 (US$3.97) per litre. In a recent enforcement case in To Kwa Wan, fire authorities arrested one man and seized 850 litres of petrol, highlighting the continued crackdown on this dangerous and illegal trade.