Passenger Jailed for Two Months, Fined $2,000 for Smuggling Duty-Not-Paid Cigarettes into Hong Kong

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming passenger was sentenced to two months' imprisonment and fined $2,000 at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts today (February 7) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted the incoming male passenger, aged 55, at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (February 6) and seized about 10 980 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $49,400 and a duty potential of about $36,300, 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, 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.

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 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected illegally imported live birds

Hong Kong Customs today (February 7) detected a suspected case of illegal importing of live bird at the Lo Wu Control Point. 112 live birds with an estimated market value of about $15,000 were seized.

Customs officers today intercepted an incoming 26-year-old female passenger at the arrival hall of the said control point. Upon examination, 112 live birds contained in bird cages were seized from the trolley she carried, and she was subsequently arrested.

The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up investigation.

Under the Public Health (Animals and Birds) Regulations, it is an offence to import any bird unless it is accompanied by a valid health certificate. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $25,000.

Members of the public may report any suspected activities of illegal import of live birds 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).

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected illegally imported live birds Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases