An incoming male passenger was sentenced to four months' imprisonment by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (August 28) for importing alternative smoking products, in contravention of the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO).
      
     Customs officers intercepted the 39-year-old incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport on July 1 and seized 36 800 alternative smoking products from his personal baggage. The total estimated market value was about $99,000. He 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 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 smuggling 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/Thursday, August 28, 2025
Issued at HKT 17:38

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