Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and alternative smoking product
An incoming passenger was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and fined $2,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (January 5) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, as well as for importing an alternative smoking product, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) and the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO).
Customs officers intercepted the incoming female passenger, aged 22, at Hong Kong International Airport on October 10, 2025. A total of 91 600 duty-not-paid cigarettes and an alternative smoking product, with an estimated market value of about $376,000 and a duty potential of about $303,000, were seized from her personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested.
The female passenger today was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 in contravention of the DCO, and was fined $1,000 in contravention of the IEO.
Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
Under the DCO, cigarettes 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 $2 million and imprisonment for seven 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).
Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and alternative smoking product Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Temporary traffic arrangements at Lung Cheung Road this Saturday night to facilitate footbridge demolition works
The Transport Department (TD) today (January 7) reminded members of the public that the eastbound carriageway section of Lung Cheung Road between Tai Hom Road and Hammer Hill Road (near Plaza Hollywood) and nearby roads in the area will be temporarily closed in phases from 11pm this Saturday (January 10) until 5.30am the following day to facilitate footbridge demolition works. During the road closure period, the following temporary traffic arrangements will be implemented:
Temporary road closure period
Road sections closed
From 11pm this Saturday (January 10) to 5.30am the following day
- The section of fast lane of Lung Cheung Road (eastbound) between Shatin Pass Road and Diamond Hill (Choi Hung Road) Public Transport Interchange
- The section of fast lane from Kwun Tong Road (westbound) near Kai Yip Estate to Lung Cheung Road (westbound) near Po Kong Village Road
From 0.00am to 5.30am this Sunday (January 11)
- The section of middle laneof Lung Cheung Road (eastbound) between Tropicana Gardens and Diamond Hill (Choi Hung Road) Public Transport Interchange
- The section of middle lane of Lung Cheung Road (westbound) between Tai Hom Substation and Po Kong Village Road
From 1am to 5.30am this Sunday (January 11)
All lanes of Lung Cheung Road (eastbound) between Tai Hom Road and Hammer Hill Road
During the full closure of the section of Lung Cheung Road (eastbound) between Tai Hom Road and Hammer Hill Road from 1am to 5.30am on January 11, the corresponding westbound carriageway of Lung Cheung Road will be temporarily converted into two-way traffic.
Appropriate traffic signs will be erected on-site to guide motorists. Motorist should exercise patience and drive with care and follow the instructions of the Police on site.
Members of the public are advised to plan their journeys in advance and allow sufficient travelling time, and stay alert to the latest traffic news through the media or the TD's mobile application "HKeMobility" or website (www.td.gov.hk).
Source: AI-created image
