Man and woman convicted and jailed for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes
A man and a woman were sentenced to four months' imprisonment and two months' imprisonment respectively by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (March 6) for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).
Customs officers intercepted a 64-year-old man for inspection at the Chung Ying Street Checkpoint in Sha Tau Kok on February 8. Upon inspection, a total of 3 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes were seized from plastic bags placed on the bike's baskets and the shoulder bag carried by the man, with an estimated market value of about $15,000 and a duty potential of about $9,900. He was subsequently arrested. The man was sentenced to four months' imprisonment by the Courts today.
In addition, Customs officers intercepted a 43-year-old woman at the same Checkpoint yesterday (March 5). Upon inspection, a total of 4 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes were seized from shopping bags placed on the bike's baskets and the handbag carried by the woman, with an estimated market value of about $20,000 and a duty potential of about $13,200. She was subsequently arrested. The woman was sentenced to two months' imprisonment by the Courts today.
Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, 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/).
Man and woman convicted and jailed for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs and Environmental Protection Department urge public to stop using three types of unsafe whitening cream products
Hong Kong Customs and the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (March 6) urged members of the public to stop using three types of whitening creams containing excessive mercury.
Hong Kong Customs detained 2 880 boxes of regulated mercury-added whitening creams with an estimated market value of about $63,000 at Hong Kong International Airport on August 27, 2025. The proprietor of the company that imported the batch of whitening creams was charged by the EPD with importing regulated mercury-added products and was fined $10,000 at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts on March 2.
Through risk assessment, Customs officers inspected an air consignment declared as face cream arriving from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, via Singapore to Hong Kong on August 27, 2025. Upon inspection, a total of 2 880 boxes of the three types of regulated mercury-added whitening creams were detected. The case was handed over to the EPD for follow-up action.
The EPD sent the samples of the creams to the Government Laboratory for testing, and it was revealed that the mercury content in the three whitening cream products reached 24 000 parts per million, 25 000 ppm and 28 000 ppm respectively. According to the Mercury Control Ordinance (MCO) (Cap. 640), cosmetics with mercury content exceeding 1 ppm is regulated mercury-added products. The three types of whitening creams contravened the MCO. As a result, the EPD initiated prosecution against the related offenders.
Customs and the EPD remind members of the public that under the MCO, any person importing, exporting, manufacturing or supplying regulated mercury-added products commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for one year upon conviction.
According to medical advice, chronic exposure to mercury can cause damage to the nervous system and kidneys. Symptoms may include tremors, irritability, insomnia, memory deterioration, concentration difficulty, impaired hearing and vision, and changes in taste function. In severe cases, renal failure may occur.
Customs and the EPD remind members of the public to observe the following tips when purchasing and using cosmetic products:
• Do not buy or use cosmetic products of unknown composition or from doubtful sources;
• Stop using the cosmetic products and seek medical attention immediately if feeling unwell after use; and
• Purchase cosmetic products at reputable retail shops.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling 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). Members of the public may report any suspected regulated mercury-added products to the EPD hotline (2838 3111).
Hong Kong Customs and Environmental Protection Department urge public to stop using three types of unsafe whitening cream products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs and Environmental Protection Department urge public to stop using three types of unsafe whitening cream products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs and Environmental Protection Department urge public to stop using three types of unsafe whitening cream products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
