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
Hong Kong Customs to publicise Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Regulatory Regime at jewellery exhibition
Hong Kong Customs will set up a booth at the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show, to be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), from tomorrow (March 4) for five consecutive days to publicise the Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Regulatory Regime (Regime), and will provide on-site counter services to assist non-Hong Kong dealers in submitting cash transaction reports during their participation in the exhibition.
According to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615), unless exempted, any person who is seeking to carry on a business of dealing in precious metals and stones and engage in any transaction(s) (whether making or receiving a payment) with a total value at or above HK$120,000 in Hong Kong is required to register with Hong Kong Customs and fulfil his/her anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing statutory obligations as appropriate.All dealers in precious metals and stones must successfully obtain a relevant registration before they can carry out any cash or non-cash transaction(s) with a total value at or above HK$120,000.
For non-Hong Kong dealers fulfilling the prescribed conditions (including those who come to Hong Kong to participate in exhibitions), although they are exempt from registration, they are required to submit to Hong Kong Customs a cash transaction report for any cash transaction(s) (whether making or receiving a payment) with a total value at or above HK$120,000 carried out in Hong Kong within one day after the transaction, or before the dealer or the person acting on behalf of the dealer leaves Hong Kong, whichever is earlier.
Non-Hong Kong dealers can make an online submission of a cash transaction report via the Regime's webpage atwww.drs.customs.gov.hkby accessing the Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Registration System. Details of the submission procedures are set out at www.drs.customs.gov.hk/download/drsform/Information%20Sheet%20-%20Submission%20of%20Cash%20Transaction%20Report%20by%20using%20DRS.pdf.
Non-Hong Kong dealers can also download the related form atwww.drs.customs.gov.hk/download/drsform/CED418_Form%208_Cash%20transaction%20report.pdfand then submit the report in person at Hong Kong Customs' booth in the exhibition.
The Hong Kong Customs' booth (Booth 1C-C18) is located at HKCEC Hall 1C and will be open from 10.30am to 6.30pm on March 4, from 10am to 6.30pm between March 5 and 7, and from 10am to 5.30pm on March 8.
Dealers can visit the website (www.customs.gov.hk/en/service-enforcement-information/anti-money-laundering/supervision-of-dealers-in-precious-metals-and-ston/index.html) for more information about the Regime.
Hong Kong Customs to publicise Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Regulatory Regime at jewellery exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
