Hong Kong Customs held an information session on the Duty Stamp System at the Customs Headquarters Building today (January 29), comprehensively introducing the latest developments and future arrangements of the system to the tobacco industry. About 180 industry representatives attended the information session, including representatives of tobacco manufacturers, importers and exporters, bonded warehouse operators, logistics, retailers, and the newspaper stalls industry.
      
     During the session, Customs provided a detailed overview of the conclusion of the Pilot Run of the Duty Stamp System early this year, as well as an explanation of the overall framework and operational details of the system, covering the entire supply chain from the manufacturing premises to their sale at retail outlets. Customs will carefully study various suggestions put forward by industry representatives during the information session to continuously optimise the design and implementation details of the system.
      
     Following this information session, Customs also met with representatives of the newspaper stalls industry to specifically introduce the Duty Stamp System. Customs emphasised that the existing sales model will not change due to the Duty Stamp System, and Customs has always encouraged the industry to purchase cigarettes from trustworthy suppliers. In response to the industry's concern regarding stamp authentication arrangements, Customs is conducting an in-depth assessment with technical consultants, researching options including distribution of dedicated authentication devices and enhancing auxiliary duty stamp recognition solutions to meet the practical needs of various retail environments. In addition to this meeting, Customs has previously held meetings with industry representatives through various channels, including the Dutiable Commodities Customer Liaison Group, tobacco affairs concern groups, and an association of the newspaper stalls industry. In the future, Customs will continue to actively communicate with the industry regarding the advancement of the Duty Stamp System and encourage industry participation to jointly promote the system and combat "cheap whites". 
      
     Customs reiterated that the successful implementation of the Duty Stamp System relies on the participation and support of all stakeholders. Customs will continue to maintain close communication with all stakeholders and timely release the latest information to the tobacco retail industry through various channels, striving to build a collaborative platform with the industry. Hong Kong Customs will continue to organise more similar exchange activities and ongoing promotional efforts to foster a shared understanding before the system's implementation, ensuring its effective rollout.
      
     Customs plans to implement the first phase of the Duty Stamp System in the fourth quarter this year, with full implementation in the second quarter of 2027, thus achieving the ultimate goal of effective distinguishment of duty-paid cigarettes from duty-not-paid ones, and to combat "cheap whites".

Ends/Thursday, January 29, 2026
Issued at HKT 18:45

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