Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes (with photos)

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     An incoming female passenger was sentenced to a total of 14 weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $2,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts on September 8 for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

     Customs officers first intercepted the incoming 49-year-old local female passenger at the Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point on June 11, and seized 1 181 duty-not-paid cigarettes from her baby stroller. The female passenger was subsequently arrested and released on bail. Customs officers intercepted the female passenger again at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on August 22 and seized 2 941 duty-not-paid cigarettes from her and her personal baggage. The female passenger was subsequently arrested again. A total of 4 122 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated total market value of about $20,000 and a total duty potential of about $13,600, were seized in the two interceptions.

     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/Thursday, September 10, 2026
Issued at HKT 23:00

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An incoming female passenger was sentenced to a total of 14 weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $2,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts on September 8 for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes seized by Customs officers from the baby stroller carried by the incoming female passenger in the first interception.