Three Passengers Sentenced for Importing Duty-Not-Paid Cigarettes and Alternative Smoking Products in Hong Kong

Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing alternative smoking products

Three incoming passengers were sentenced to six months' imprisonment and fined $900, seven months' imprisonment and fined $1,000, and four months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 respectively by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (March 9) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes, failing to declare them to Customs officers, as well asimporting alternative smoking products, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) and the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO).

Customs officers intercepted a 33-year-old incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) on March 7. About 34 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $153,000 and a duty potential of about $112,300, as well as 10 000 heat sticks with an estimated market value of about $30,000 were seized from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and fined $900 in contravention of the DCO, and was sentenced to four months' imprisonment in contravention of the IEO today. The sentences run concurrently.

As well, Customs officers intercepted two male passengers, aged 60 and aged 44 respectively, at HKIA yesterday (March 8). About 49 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $201,000 and a duty potential of about $162,100 were seized from the former's personal baggage, while about 28 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $128,000 and a duty potential of about $94,000 were seized from the latter's personal baggage. The two passengers were subsequently arrested. They were sentenced to seven months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 and four months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 respectively in contravention of the DCO today.

Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect 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 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).

Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing alternative smoking products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing alternative smoking products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing alternative smoking products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Restoration of Pui O wetland ecology through effective interdepartmental collaboration

Regarding an oil pollution incident found in the Pui O wetland in September 2025, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said today (March 9) that through interdepartmental collaboration, immediate clearance actions, and smart monitoring, the environment of the Pui O wetland has already shown significant improvement earlier on. The wetland is now in good condition and the ecological environment is fully recovering.

During September last year, members of the public reported oil pollution at Pui O wetland. The EPD accorded high priority to the incident and immediately deployed staff to the site for an inspection. A small amount of an oil spill of approximately 0.02 hectares was spotted on-site. In addition to using oil absorbent pads to contain the problem immediately, EPD staff conducted follow-up investigations for more than a month and invited other government departments, including the Water Supplies Department, to assist in the clearance. The main component of the oil pollution was Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons, which are commonly found in industrial or automotive diesel. The residual amount of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons left in the natural environment after clearance will gradually decompose through microbial degradation and natural volatilisation, without causing long-term impact on the ecological environment.

Regarding the ecological environment of the site, the EPD invited the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department to conduct a joint investigation. The investigation showed that the site habitat began to gradually recover from late September 2025. Inspections by the EPD on February 5 and today (March 9) revealed that the wetland is in good condition, and the ecological environment is fully recovering (see attached photos).

In respect of this oil pollution incident, EPD staff visited the complaint site and surrounding areas such as construction sites, a car parking area and a refuse collection point, but no oil spill or pollution sources were found at the sites or in the vicinity, suggesting that this incident was an isolated event. To prevent similar incidents, the EPD has recommended the upstream premises and construction sites to remove potential pollution sources, and has installed a closed-circuit television system nearby, along with regular patrols to monitor the situation.

An EPD spokesperson stated, "The comprehensive handling of this incident fully demonstrates the efficiency of interdepartmental collaboration within the Government. The EPD will continue to combine smart monitoring with interdepartmental collaboration, striving to protect Hong Kong's natural environment and jointly safeguard the precious wetland ecosystem."

Restoration of Pui O wetland ecology through effective interdepartmental collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Restoration of Pui O wetland ecology through effective interdepartmental collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Restoration of Pui O wetland ecology through effective interdepartmental collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Restoration of Pui O wetland ecology through effective interdepartmental collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases