Two incoming passengers were sentenced to three months' imprisonment with a fine of $1,800 and two months' imprisonment with a fine of $1,800 respectively by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (April 8) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

     Customs officers intercepted an incoming 61-year-old female passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on April 6 and seized 20 400 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $84,000 and a duty potential of about $67,000 from her personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. She was sentenced to three months' imprisonment and fined $1,800 by the Courts today.

     In addition, Customs officers intercepted an incoming 34-year-old female passenger yesterday (April 7) at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point and seized 16 400 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $67,000 and a duty potential of about $54,000 from her personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. She was sentenced to two months' imprisonment and fined $1,800 by the Courts today.

     Customs welcomes the sentences, noting that even a first-time offender may still be imprisoned. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect 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/Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Issued at HKT 18:40

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