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

******************************************************************************************

Three incoming passengers were sentenced between two months' imprisonment suspended for two years to six months' imprisonment and fined $2,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (October 9) 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).

     Two incoming male passengers, aged 25 and 38, arrived in Hong Kong from Tokyo, Japan, on July 11. During Customs clearance, Customs officers found and seized about 36 400 and about 35 000 alternative smoking products, with an estimated market value of about $113,000 and about $108,000 from their personal baggage respectively. They were subsequently arrested. They were each sentenced to six months' imprisonment by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today in contravention of the IEO.

     In addition, Customs officers intercepted a 34-year-old incoming female passenger at Hong Kong International Airport on September 25. About 9 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $37,000 and a duty potential of about $30,000, were seized from her personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. She was sentenced to two months' imprisonment, suspended for two years and fined $2,000 in contravention of the DCO by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today.

     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/en/).

Ends/Thursday, October 9, 2025
Issued at HKT 21:11

NNNN

Archives Yesterday's Press Releases

Back to Index Page

Today's Press Releases

Photo

A 25-year-old incoming passenger was sentenced to six months' imprisonment by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (October 9) for importing alternative smoking products, in contravention of the Import and Export Ordinance. Photo shows the alternative smoking products seized.

A 38-year-old incoming passenger was sentenced to six months' imprisonment by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (October 9) for importing alternative smoking products, in contravention of the Import and Export Ordinance. Photo shows the alternative smoking products seized.

A 34-year-old female incoming passenger was sentenced to two months' imprisonment, suspended for two years and fined $2,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (October 9) for dealing with 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.