An incoming female passenger was sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (August 25) 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 incoming 53-year-old female passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on August 23 and seized 3 000 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $12,300 and a duty potential of about $9,900 from a carton box and recycle bags in her possession. The passenger was subsequently arrested.

     Customs welcomes the sentence, noting that even a first-time offender may still be imprisoned. 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, August 25, 2025
Issued at HKT 22:40

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