Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and alternative smoking products (with photos)

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     Two incoming male passengers were sentenced to four months' and six months' imprisonment respectively by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (September 30) for importing 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). One of them was also fined $1,500.

     Customs officers intercepted a 27-year-old incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport on July 28. About 42 000 alternative smoking products, with an estimated market value of about $127,000, were seized from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to four months' imprisonment today in contravention of the IEO.

     In addition, Customs officers intercepted a 35-year-old incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport on August 4. About 10 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes and about 26 000 alternative smoking products, with an estimated market value of about $118,000 and a duty potential of about $33,000 in total, were seized from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and fined $1,500 in contravention of the DCO, and was also sentenced to six months' imprisonment in contravention of the IEO today. The sentences will run concurrently.

     Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.

     Under the DCO, cigarettes 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 $2 million and imprisonment for seven 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/Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Issued at HKT 17:20

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A 27-year-old incoming male passenger was sentenced to four months' imprisonment by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (September 30) for importing alternative smoking products, in contravention of the Import and Export Ordinance. Photo shows the alternative smoking products seized.

A 35-year-old incoming male passenger was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and fined $1,500 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (September 30) for importing 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.