Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes (with photo)

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     An incoming female passenger was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and a fine of $500 at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (February 17) for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare to Customs Officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

     Customs officers intercepted the 22-year-old incoming female passenger at Hong Kong International Airport on February 15 and seized about 40 300 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $165,000 and a duty potential of about $133,000, from her personal baggage. She was subsequently arrested.

     Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, tobacco products are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Ends/Monday, February 17, 2025
Issued at HKT 16:26

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An incoming female passenger was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and a fine of $500 at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (February 17) for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare to Customs Officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes seized.