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

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An incoming male passenger was sentenced to two months' imprisonment suspended for 24 months, and fined $4,000 at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (June 30) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted the 52-year-old incoming male passenger at the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan on June 28 and seized 2 960 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $12,000 and a duty potential of about $9,700 from his personal baggage. The passenger 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, June 30, 2025
Issued at HKT 17:55

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An incoming male passenger was sentenced to two months' imprisonment suspended for 24 months, and fined $4,000 at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (June 30) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes seized.