Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing prohibited articles not under and in accordance with import licence
An incoming male passenger was sentenced to three months' imprisonment and fined $500 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (January 19) for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, as well as for importing prohibited articles not under and in accordance with the import licence, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) and the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO).
Customs officers intercepted an incoming male passenger, aged 48, at Hong Kong International Airport on November 23, 2025. About 11 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes and nine tablets of pharmaceutical products containing Part I Poisons, with a total estimated market value of about $50,000 and a duty potential of about $36,000, were seized from his personal baggage. 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 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 pharmaceutical products and medicines without a valid import licence 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 smugglingactivities 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 dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing prohibited articles not under and in accordance with import licence Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
7th Design Licensing and Business Support Scheme sponsored by CCIDA kicks off
The 7th Design Licensing and Business (DLAB) Support Scheme, sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Innovative Entrepreneur Association, held its kick-off ceremony today (January 19), announcing 39 selected local design companies.
The DLAB Support Scheme aims to provide training in marketing, brand building, and business operations, alongside professional consultancy and business matching services, to assist the selected enterprises in seizing the licensing opportunities and expanding into the Chinese Mainland and international markets. The 39 selected companies under this edition will participate in the study mission in the Greater Bay Area in late January, with a view to strengthening ties with the enterprises and exploring market potential on the Chinese Mainland. They will also exhibit at the DLAB Hong Kong Pavilion of the Hong Kong International Licensing Show 2026 organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council in April, showcasing their creative achievements and further enhancing the global visibility of Hong Kong designs.
Speaking at the kick-off ceremony today, Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries Miss Yvonne IP remarked that Hong Kong designers of the new generation have created original intellectual properties (IPs) that are contemporary and international with their unique perspectives. Their works are not only full of vitality but also embody the cultural identity and innovative spirit characteristic of Hong Kong. The Government will continue to support young designers in creating IPs and actively promote Hong Kong's IPs locally and internationally.
Since its first edition in 2018, the DLAB Support Scheme has supported over 300 local design companies, which have received over 4 000 business enquiries, reflecting the commercial potential and cross-sector collaboration appeal of Hong Kong's original IPs.
For more information on the DLAB Support Scheme, please visit www.dlabhk.com.
7th Design Licensing and Business Support Scheme sponsored by CCIDA kicks off Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
7th Design Licensing and Business Support Scheme sponsored by CCIDA kicks off Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
