Incoming passengers jailed for possessing and importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and for importing alternative smoking products (with photos)

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     Two incoming male passengers were sentenced to six weeks and 10 months' imprisonment by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts and the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts respectively today (October 21) for importing and possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes, 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 $1,000.

     Customs officers intercepted a 62-year-old incoming male passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on October 11 and seized 1 781 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $7,300 and a duty potential of about $5,900 from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today in contravention of the DCO.

     Also, Customs officers intercepted a 37-year-old incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport on August 25. About 33 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes and about 140 000 alternative smoking products, with a total estimated market value of about $573,000 and a duty potential of about $111,000, were seized from his personal baggage. He was subsequently arrested. The man was sentenced to 10 months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today in contravention of the DCO and IEO.

     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.

     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.

     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, October 21, 2025
Issued at HKT 18:50

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An incoming passenger was sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (October 21) for possessing 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.

An incoming passenger was sentenced to 10 months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (October 21) 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.