Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes (with photo)

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An incoming passenger was sentenced to two months' imprisonment and fined by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (November 7) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

     Customs officers intercepted a 37-year-old incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (November 6) and seized 34 200 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $153,900 and a duty potential of about $113,000, from his personal baggage. He was subsequently arrested.

     Customs welcomes the sentence. 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 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.

     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/Friday, November 7, 2025
Issued at HKT 16:00

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A 37-year-old incoming male passenger was sentenced to two months' imprisonment and fined by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (November 7) for importing 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.