Two incoming passengers were respectively sentenced to two months' imprisonment with a fine of $1,500, and eight weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $2,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (November 28) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, and importing goods to which the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) applies, in contravention of the DCO.
Customs officers intercepted a 51-year-old incoming male passenger on October 6 at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point. Customs officers seized 2 399 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $10,000 and a duty potential of about $8,000, found on him. The male passenger was sentenced to two months' imprisonment and fined $1,500.
In addition, Customs officers intercepted a 32-year-old incoming female passenger and her accompanying child on November 25 at the same control point. Officers discovered that the woman had concealed 1 400 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $5,700 and a duty potential of about $4,600, in the backpack carried by the child. The female passenger was sentenced to eight weeks' imprisonment and fined $2,000.
Customs welcomes the sentence, noting that even a first-time offender may still be imprisoned. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
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/Friday, November 28, 2025
