Hong Kong Customs seized about 360 000 suspected illicit cigarettes on September 30, with an estimated market value of about $1.88 million and a duty potential of about $1.18 million, at the Man Kam To Control Point.

     Customs officers on that day intercepted an incoming truck declared as carrying vegetables at the said control point. After inspection, the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes was found mix-loaded with vegetables inside 63 foam boxes on the truck. 

     A 62-year-old local male driver was arrested and the truck involved in the case was also detained. 

     An investigation is ongoing, and the arrested person has been released on bail.

     Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement action against cross-boundary smuggling activities through risk assessment and intelligence analysis.

     Customs stresses that smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60), any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

     Moreover, under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109), any person who 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/Friday, October 2, 2026
Issued at HKT 12:10

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