Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing or possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing alternative smoking products
Three incoming male passengers were sentenced to three to seven months' imprisonment and fined between $1,000 and $2,000 at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts yesterday (July 30) and today (July 31) for importing or possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, as well as for importing alternative smoking products, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) and the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO).
Customs officers intercepted the three incoming male passengers, aged between 30 and 46, at Hong Kong International Airport on May 19 and July 23. A total of about 80 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes and about 24 000 alternative smoking products, with an estimated market value of about $425,000 and a duty potential of about $264,000, were seized from their personal baggage. They were subsequently arrested.
Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
Under the DCO, tobacco products 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 $1 million and imprisonment for two years.
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).
Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing or possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing alternative smoking products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing or possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing alternative smoking products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing or possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing alternative smoking products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Customs YES organises Shenzhen Qianhai Youth Entrepreneurship Exploration Day
Customs YES organised the Customs YES X QMN Shenzhen Qianhai Youth Entrepreneurship Exploration Day in collaboration with the partnering organisation Quality Management Network (QMN) today (January 17). Led by the Assistant Commissioner (Administration and Human Resource Development) of Customs and Excise, Ms Phoebe Wong, a delegation of 51 youth from Customs YES and QMN visited innovation and technology (I&T) companies and a start-up incubation base in Qianhai, Shenzhen, to gain insights into the latest developments in the low-altitude economy and explore youth entrepreneurship opportunities in the Greater Bay Area.
The delegation first visited a Drone Education Experience Centre in Shenzhen to learn about the latest developments in aerial photography technology, including its applications in power system inspection and emergency rescue. In addition, under the guidance of professional instructors, the participants took part in a robotics competition and experienced drone operation.
The delegation then visited the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub, where they learned about various facilitation measures supporting Hong Kong and Macao youth in pursuing entrepreneurship and career development on the Chinese Mainland. The participants also interacted with representatives of Hong Kong I&T start-up enterprises based at the hub to learn more about the latest developments in the low-altitude economy, and visited the Hong Kong Youth Short-Term Apartments which offers one-stop accommodation services for Hong Kong youth.
Customs YES will continue to organise various exchange activities to deepen youth's understanding on the latest developments in the country and Hong Kong's opportunities and contributions along the course.
Customs YES organises Shenzhen Qianhai Youth Entrepreneurship Exploration Day Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Customs YES organises Shenzhen Qianhai Youth Entrepreneurship Exploration Day Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Customs YES organises Shenzhen Qianhai Youth Entrepreneurship Exploration Day Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Customs YES organises Shenzhen Qianhai Youth Entrepreneurship Exploration Day Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Customs YES organises Shenzhen Qianhai Youth Entrepreneurship Exploration Day Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Customs YES organises Shenzhen Qianhai Youth Entrepreneurship Exploration Day Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
