Two incoming passengers were sentenced to four weeks' to six months' imprisonment with a fine of $2,000 to $4,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (October 23) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) (Cap. 109). One of them was also found to be importing alternative smoking products, in contravention of the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO) (Cap. 60).

     Customs officers intercepted a 39-year-old incoming Mainland male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport on October 21, and seized 181 duty-not-paid cigarettes and 21 600 alternative smoking products from his personal baggage. The estimated market value of the seizures is about $83,000 with a duty potential of about $600. He was immediately arrested, and was sentenced to four weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $4,000 today.

     Customs officers also intercepted a 31-year-old incoming Mainland male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (October 22), and seized about 73 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $330,000 and a duty potential of about $240,000, from his personal baggage. He was also immediately arrested, and was sentenced to six months' imprisonment with a fine of $2,000 today.

     Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect the seriousness of the offences.

     Customs reminds members of the public and travellers that under the DCO, anyone involved in importing, dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

     Additionally, under the IEO, any person who imports an alternative smoking product into Hong Kong 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 23, 2026
Issued at HKT 18:25

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