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

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     Two incoming male passengers were each sentenced to three months' imprisonment and four months' imprisonment by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (October 30) for importing alternative smoking products, as well as for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers respectively, in contravention of the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO) and the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO). One of them was also fined $1,500.

     Customs officers intercepted a 50-year-old and a 32-year-old incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport on August 5 and October 29 respectively. About 11 200 alternative smoking products, with an estimated market value of about $33,600, were seized from the personal baggage of the 50-year-old incoming male passenger. Also, about 46 400 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $209,000 and a duty potential of about $153,000 in total, were seized from the 32-year-old male passenger's personal baggage. The two persons were subsequently arrested.

     The 50-year-old male passenger was sentenced to three months' imprisonment by the court today for contravening the IEO, while the 32-year-old male passenger was sentenced to four months' imprisonment and fined $1,500 for contravening the DCO.

     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/Thursday, October 30, 2025
Issued at HKT 18:35

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A 50-year-old incoming male passenger was sentenced to three months' imprisonment by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (October 30) for importing alternative smoking products, in contravention of the Import and Export Ordinance. Photo shows the alternative smoking products seized.

A 32-year-old incoming male passenger was sentenced to four months' imprisonment and fined $1,500 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (October 30) 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.