Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes (with photos)

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Two incoming passengers were sentenced to one month's imprisonment, and three months' imprisonment and fined $500, respectively at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts and the Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts on August 16 and today (August 18) 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 a 59-year-old incoming female passenger at the Heung Yuen Wai Control Point on August 15. A total of 3 181 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $14,300 and a duty potential of about $10,500, were seized from her personal baggage. She was subsequently arrested.

     In addition, Customs officers intercepted a 49-year-old incoming female passenger at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point on August 16. A total of 5 981 duty-not-paid cigarettes and approximately 12 kilograms of raw meat, with a total estimated market value of about $31,300 and a duty potential of about $19,800, 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.

     Under the DCO, tobacco products are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, 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.

     In addition, according to the Imported Game, Meat, Poultry and Eggs Regulations (Cap. 132AK), it is an offence to bring any game, meat, poultry or eggs into Hong Kong without a health certificate issued by an issuing entity of the place of origin and/or without prior written permission granted by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department. An offender shall be liable on conviction to a fine of $50,000 and to imprisonment for six months.

     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 20:53

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An incoming 59-year-old female passenger was sentenced to one month's imprisonment at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts on August 16 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 inside her rucksack.

An incoming 49-year-old female passenger was sentenced to three months' imprisonment and fined $500 at the Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts today (August 18) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes, failing to declare them to Customs officers and illegal import of raw meat, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance and the Imported Game, Meat, Poultry and Eggs Regulations. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes and the illegally imported raw meat seized in her suitcase.