Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes
An incoming female passenger was sentenced to 30 days' imprisonment and fined $2,000 at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (July 18) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs Officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).
Customs officers intercepted the 60-year-old incoming female passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on July 10 and seized 5 611 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $23,000 and a duty potential of about $18,000 from her personal belongings. The passenger was subsequently arrested.
Customs welcomes the sentence. 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, tobacco products are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two 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).
Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKSAR fully integrates into Green Belt and Road development
To strengthen the promotion of green cooperation under the Belt and Road (B&R), the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) have established a B&R Green Development Co-operation Platform. By connecting with the network of the International Green Development Coalition for the Belt and Road Regions (IGDC), the platform facilitates exchange and cooperation among B&R countries and regions in green technology, policy and capacitybuilding. The Second General Assembly of Members of the IGDC was held today (October 25) in Hong Kong.
Under the "One Country, Two Systems", HongKong has the distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world. The IGDC's decision to hold the annual meeting in HongKong helps members access international markets, deepen international cooperation and expand a global partnership network, and reflects the IGDC's recognition of HongKong's bridge-building role in the green B&R Initiative.
At this year's annual meeting, the Director of Environmental Protection, Dr Samuel Chui, was elected as a council member of the IGDC. Sino Group and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited were admitted as the IGDC's new member organisations, together with Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency (IGDC member of year 2025), further strengthening the IGDC's collaborative capacity in HongKong.
Dr Chui said at the meeting that HongKong has been actively serving the roles of "super connector" and "super valueadder", providing a platform for linking green technologies, green finance and green standards. Relying on its sound legal system, professional services and internationaloriented business environment, HongKong can assist B&R countries in advancing their green transition.
Dr Chui added, "The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has consistently taken concrete actions to participate in the green B&R Initiative. We have successfully implemented a number of works this year, including the establishment of the B&R Green Development Co-operation Platform in HongKong with the IGDC, the set up of the B&R sustainable green development training centre, and the organisation of the B&R Green Innovation Conference 2026 which will open tomorrow. This year's innovation conference is the first time to be held outside the Mainland. HongKong will continue to leverage its strengths and contribute to the nation's high-quality co-construction of green B&R."
As a new member of the IGDC, Sino Group attaches great importance to and actively supports the national B&R green development strategy, and is committed to promoting green technological innovation and synergistic collaboration among industry, academia, and research sectors. The Group is planning to collaborate with the EEB of the HKSAR Government to establish an Asia-Pacific B&R green technology center for industry, academia, and research in the Northern Metropolis as a training, exchange and exhibition platform, showcasing green technology prototypes and innovative achievements from members of the IGDC, covering fields such as marine technology. It will foster deep integration across industry, academia, and research sectors, transform technological outcomes, align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan to contribute to the green B&R Initiative, and leverage Hong Kong's unique strengths as a "super connector."
The IGDC was jointly initiated and established by the MEE and partners from the Mainland and overseas. It aims to build an international consensus on green development, and to initiate open, inclusive and mutually beneficial international cooperation and action on green development. By providing implementing pathways such as promotable sustainable technical solutions, verifiable green finance instruments, sharable digital and intelligent empowerment platforms and replicable capacity building paradigms, it aims to help promote sustainable development and build a clean and beautiful world together.
HKSAR fully integrates into Green Belt and Road development Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKSAR fully integrates into Green Belt and Road development Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
