Hong Kong Customs Launches Anti-Illicit Cigarette Campaign with New Duty Stamp System Implementation Plan

Hong Kong Customs conducts interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette publicity activities in Eastern District

Hong Kong Customs on February 10 and today (February 12) conducted joint anti-illicit cigarette publicity activities with Legislative Council Member Ms Chik Kit-ling, members of the Eastern District Council, the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health, the Police and the Housing Department (HD) at Hing Wah (2) Estate, Yue Wan Estate, Wan Tsui Estate and Siu Sai Wan Estate in Eastern District. Customs also publicised the Duty Stamp System.

Customs officers patrolled the housing estates and introduced to residents Customs' enforcement actions against illicit cigarettes and the latest amendments to illicit cigarette-related legislation, including an increase in the maximum penalty for offences related to duty-not-paid cigarettes to a $2 million fine and seven-year imprisonment. Customs also explained to estate security personnel how to deal with suspected illicit cigarette activities.

Customs officers also introduced the Duty Stamp System to be implemented in Hong Kong to the council members, residents, newspaper stall keepers and cigarette retailers. The three-month Pilot Run for the Duty Stamp System launched by Customs concluded early this year. Customs will continue to maintain close communication with all stakeholders and optimise the design and implementation details of the system. Customs plans to implement the first phase of the Duty Stamp System in the fourth quarter this year, with full implementation in the second quarter of 2027, thus achieving the ultimate goal of effective distinguishment of duty-paid cigarettes from duty-not-paid ones, and to combat "cheap whites".

Customs will continue to strengthen publicity and education to raise the public awareness of anti-illicit cigarettes. If public rental housing units are found to be involved in illicit cigarette crimes, Customs will notify the HD for follow-up action after the conclusion of court proceedings. Customs reminds members of the public not to buy or sell illicit cigarettes or distribute illicit cigarette leaflets to avoid creating a criminal record that could affect their future.

Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying 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/).

In accordance with the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371), no person shall distribute any smoking product advertisement (including any promotional leaflets). Any person who contravenes the regulation is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000. Members of the public may report any suspected activities of illicit cigarette leaflets distribution to TACO's hotline 2961 8823.

Hong Kong Customs on February 10 and today (February 12) publicised the Duty Stamp System to cigarette retailers near the Hing Wah (2) Estate, Yue Wan Estate, Siu Sai Wan Estate and Wan Tsui Estate in Eastern District. Photo shows Customs officers introducing anti-illicit cigarette messages and the Duty Stamp System to a merchant. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs on February 10 and today (February 12) conducted joint anti-illicit cigarette publicity activities with Legislative Council Member Ms Chik Kit-ling, members of the Eastern District Council, the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office of the Department of Health, the Police and the Housing Department at Hing Wah (2) Estate, Yue Wan Estate, Wan Tsui Estate and Siu Sai Wan Estate in Eastern District. Customs also publicised the Duty Stamp System. Photo shows Customs officers explaining anti-illicit cigarette messages and the Duty Stamp System to residents. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs on February 10 and today (February 12) conducted joint anti-illicit cigarette publicity activities with Legislative Council Member Ms Chik Kit-ling, members of the Eastern District Council, the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office of the Department of Health, the Police and the Housing Department at Hing Wah (2) Estate, Yue Wan Estate, Wan Tsui Estate and Siu Sai Wan Estate in Eastern District. Customs also publicised the Duty Stamp System. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs on February 10 and today (February 12) conducted joint anti-illicit cigarette publicity activities with Legislative Council Member Ms Chik Kit-ling, members of the Eastern District Council, the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office of the Department of Health, the Police and the Housing Department at Hing Wah (2) Estate, Yue Wan Estate, Wan Tsui Estate and Siu Sai Wan Estate in Eastern District. Customs also publicised the Duty Stamp System. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million

Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases in Hong Kong International Airport and Yau Ma Tei respectively on April 1 and yesterday (April 2), and seized a total of about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine and about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with a total estimated market value of about $3.4 million. Two persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.

In the first case, a 43-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand on April 1. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine concealed inside food packaging in his baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

In the second case, during an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Yau Ma Tei on April 2, Customs officers intercepted a 41-year-old man and later escorted him to a hotel room nearby for a search and seized about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine, a drug inhaling apparatus and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested persons have been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug respectively and will appear at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (April 4).

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking 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).

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases