One incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid tobacco (with photo)

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     One incoming passenger was sentenced to four months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (June 27) for possessing duty-not-paid tobacco and failing to declare it to Customs Officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

     Customs officers intercepted a 28-year-old incoming female passenger at Hong Kong International Airport on May 2. About 21 kilograms of duty-not-paid cigars, with an estimated market value of about $246,000 and a duty potential of about $90,000 in total, were seized 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 duty-not-paid tobacco 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/en).

Ends/Friday, June 27, 2025
Issued at HKT 17:55

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A 28-year-old incoming female passenger was sentenced to four months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (June 27) for possessing duty-not-paid tobacco and failing to declare it to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigars seized.