The Government will implement the Duty Stamp System in the HKSAR to distinguish between duty-paid and duty-not-paid cigarettes, aiming to combat "cheap whites". Starting in October, Hong Kong Customs launched a three-month Pilot Run to affix trial duty stamps on duty-paid cigarettes carried by travelers or imported in small shipments at designated control points. Local tobacco manufacturers are also invited to participate. By gathering feedback from the industry and the public through questionnaires, Hong Kong Customs will refine the system, which is targeted for implementation in the fourth quarter of 2026, with full implementation scheduled for the second quarter of 2027.
■ The Pilot Run aims to simulate workflow and technology in practical operations to evaluate their effectiveness and feasibility. Local tobacco manufacturers are invited to join the pilot run and affix trial duty stamps to retail packages of cigarettes intended for local sale.
