Hong Kong customs officials have seized 2,800 sub-machineguns and 25,000 unloaded magazines being shipped to the United States from Malaysia, the government said Monday.

While shipping arms through the territory is allowed, this cargo had not been licensed, Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee said, adding the weapons were not terrorism-related.

The seizure was the largest of its kind in the territory. The guns, which were second-hand, were found inside two cargo containers at Kwai Chung Container Terminal last Friday during a routine inspection.

The customs department said it was investigating and declined to reveal further details. - AFP