Two incoming passengers were sentenced to four weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 and eight weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 respectively by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (May 4) 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 60-year-old male passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point yesterday (May 3) and seized 1 781 duty-not-paid cigarettes from him. The estimated market value of the seized cigarettes was about $7,300, and the duty potential was about $5,800. The male passenger was subsequently arrested and was sentenced to four weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 by the courts today.

     In addition, Customs officers intercepted an incoming 43-year-old male passenger, who was accompanied by his child, at the same control point on the same day. Officers discovered that the male passenger had concealed 3 381 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $13,000 and a duty potential of about $11,000, in the backpacks carried by him and his accompanying child. The male passenger was subsequently arrested and was sentenced to eight weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 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/Monday, May 4, 2026
Issued at HKT 18:52

NNNN