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

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     Four incoming male passengers were sentenced from 14 weeks to four months' imprisonment and fined from $1,500 to $2,000 respectively by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (November 10) for possession and dealing with 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).

     A 33-year-old incoming male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Tokyo, Japan, on September 14. During Customs clearance, Customs officers seized about 11 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes and about 40 200 alternative smoking products, with a total estimated market value of about $165,000 and a duty potential of about $36,000, from his personal baggage. He was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to four months' imprisonment with a fine of $1,500 by the court today for contravening the DCO and IEO.

     In addition, Customs officers intercepted a 45-year-old incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport on November 8. About 46 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $188,000 and a duty potential of about $151,000, were seized from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to 24 weeks' imprisonment and fined $2,000 for contravening the DCO by the court today.

     Two incoming male passengers, aged 36 and 45, arrived in Hong Kong yesterday (November 9). About 16 000 and 21 000 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes were seized from their personal baggage respectively. The estimated market value was about $67,000 and $88,000, and the duty potential was about $54,000 and $71,000 respectively. The two persons were arrested immediately. As a result, they were sentenced to 14 weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $2,000, and 16 weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $2,000 respectively, for contravening 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 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/Monday, November 10, 2025
Issued at HKT 18:15

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An incoming 33-year-old male passenger was sentenced to four months' imprisonment and fined $1,500 at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (November 10) for dealing with 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 and the Import and Export Ordinance. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes and alternative smoking products seized.

A 45-year-old incoming male passenger was sentenced to 24 weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $2,000 at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (November 10) for possession of 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.

A 36-year-old incoming male passenger was sentenced to 14 weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $2,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (November 10) for possession of 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.

A 45-year-old incoming male passenger was sentenced to 16 weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $2,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (November 10) for possession of 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.