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

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A male passenger was sentenced to 10 weeks' imprisonment and fined $1,500 at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (August 18) for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs Officers, as well as for importing alternative smoking products, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) and the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO).

     Customs officers intercepted the incoming male passenger, aged 31, at Hong Kong International Airport on July 15. About 16 800 duty-not-paid cigarettes and three alternative smoking products were seized from his personal baggage with an estimated market value of about $75,900 and a duty potential of about $55,500 in total. 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.

     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.

     Under the IEO, any person who imports an alternative smoking product into Hong Kong commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven 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, August 18, 2025
Issued at HKT 18:48

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An incoming 31-year-old male passenger was sentenced to 10 weeks' imprisonment and fined $1,500 at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (August 18) for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs Officers, as well as for importing alternative smoking products, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance and the Import and Export Ordinance. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes and alternative smoking products seized.