An incoming local female was sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (September 9) 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 an incoming 66-year-old local female at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on September 3 and seized 581 duty-not-paid cigarettes from her, with an estimated market value of about $2,900, and a duty potential of about $1,900. The female passenger was subsequently arrested. 

     Customs welcomes the sentence. 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/Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Issued at HKT 18:35

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