An incoming male passenger was sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment and fined $600 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (February 2) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

     Customs officers intercepted a 48-year-old incoming male passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on January 11 and seized 2 665 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $11,000 and a duty potential of about $8,800 from his personal baggage and on his body. He was subsequently arrested.

     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. Members of the public should not defy the law.

     Customs reminds members of the public that 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.

     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, February 2, 2026
Issued at HKT 17:30

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