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

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     Three incoming male passengers were sentenced between three to six months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 to $1,200 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (October 13) for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare to Customs officers, as well as importing alternative smoking products, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) and Import and Export Ordinance (IEO).

     A 54-year-old incoming male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Tokyo, Japan, on July 19. During Customs clearance, Customs officers seized about 94 600 alternative smoking products, with an estimated market value of about $255,000 from his personal baggage. He was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to six months' imprisonment by the court today in contravention of the IEO.

     In addition, Customs officers intercepted two incoming male passengers, aged 40 and 47, at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (October 12). About 24 800 and 27 800 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes were seized from their personal baggage. The estimated market values were about $101,600 and $113,900 respectively, and the duty potential was about $81,900 and $91,900 respectively. They were sentenced to three months' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000, and 14 weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $1,200 respectively in contravention of the DCO by the court today.

     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.

     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 $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette or 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/en/).

Ends/Monday, October 13, 2025
Issued at HKT 21:50

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An incoming male passenger was sentenced to six months' imprisonment by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (October 13) for importing alternative smoking products, in contravention of the Import and Export Ordinance. Photos show the alternative smoking products seized.

Two incoming male passengers were sentenced to three months' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 and 14 weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $1,200 respectively by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (October 13) for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes seized.