Hong Kong Launches Pilot Duty Stamp System for Cigarettes to Combat Tax Evasion

Hong Kong Customs launches pilot run for duty stamp system for three months

According to the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109) amended by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region through the Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, the duty stamp system will be implemented to help distinguish between duty-paid and duty-not-paid cigarettes. Hong Kong Customs launched a three-month pilot run for the duty stamp system on October 6 and plans to implement the first phase of the system in the fourth quarter of 2026, followed by full implementation in the second quarter of 2027.

The pilot run for the duty stamp system aims to simulate workflow and technology in practical operations to evaluate their effectiveness and feasibility, as well as to promote industry and public awareness of the key features of the system that enable them to prepare related compliance in advance.

In the first phase of the pilot run, Customs officers at Duty Collection Offices of designated control points, namely the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port and selected cargo terminals of Hong Kong International Airport, will affix a trial duty stamp to each unopened retail package of cigarettes brought into Hong Kong by incoming passengers or imported for single shipments upon full duty payment. Meanwhile, local tobacco manufacturers are also invited to join the pilot run and affix trial duty stamps to retail packages of cigarettes intended for local sale. Therefore, cigarettes that bear the trial duty stamps will be supplied on the market later.

The trial duty stamps are designed to bear both physical and digital anti-counterfeiting features. Customs officers and members of the public can scan the encrypted QR code on the trial duty stamp using dedicated devices available at the designated control points or retail outlets to ascertain the duty-paid status of the cigarettes. For easy identification, trial duty stamps affixed by Customs officers and local manufacturers are respectively in blue and green colours.

Participation in the pilot run is voluntary. Hong Kong Customs welcomes the public to give suggestions and views on the pilot run throughquestionnaires. After the mid-term evaluation, Hong Kong Customs will extend the pilot run to more Duty Collection Offices at various control points.

Source: AI-found images

Hong Kong Customs launches pilot run for duty stamp system for three months Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs launches pilot run for duty stamp system for three months Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs launches pilot run for duty stamp system for three months Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Source: AI-found images

DSD deeply saddened by passing of contractor staff member

The Director of Drainage Services, Mr Ringo Mok, was deeply saddened by the passing of a staff member of its contractor in an accident that occurred at a construction site for upgrading works of existing sewerage system at Yen Chow Street in Sham Shui Po yesterday (May 27). He expressed his deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and requested the contractor to provide them with appropriate assistance.

At about 8.30am yesterday, the worker was injured during a lifting operation at the construction site. He was sent to Princess Margaret Hospital for treatment and was certified dead at about 11.30pm.

The Drainage Services Department (DSD) has requested the contractor to suspend the related works and conduct a safety check. The contractor was also instructed to carry out a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident. The DSD will also render full assistance to relevant departments in their investigations.

Source: AI-found images