Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes
One incoming male passenger and one incoming female passenger were each sentenced to six months' imprisonment by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (March 13) for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).
Customs officers intercepted a 24-year-old male passenger and a 34-year-old female passenger at Hong Kong International Airport on November 19, 2025. A total of about 82 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes with a total estimated market value of about $372,000 and a duty potential of about $273,000 in total, were seized from their personal baggage. They were subsequently arrested.
Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect the seriousness of the offences.
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.
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).
Source: AI-found images
Hong Kong Customs hosts landmark regional conference to drive future of Smart Customs
Hong Kong Customs, in the capacity of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Vice-Chair for the Asia/Pacific (A/P) Region, hosted the Regional Conference on Smart Customs starting March 11 for three consecutive days, with the conference concluding today (March 13). The conference gathered key global stakeholders to advance the digital transformation of Customs administrations.
With the support of the Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation, this inaugural large-scale regional workshop on Smart Customs brought together over 200 representatives from the WCO, global Customs administrations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Secretariat and the innovation and technology sector.
The opening ceremony of the conference on March 11 was officiated by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat; and the Assistant Commissioner (World Customs Organization) of Customs and Excise, Mr Li Kin-kei.
In his opening address, Mr Tang underscored the vital role of Smart Customs in supporting A/P region's dynamic trade flows and addressing transnational challenges. He highlighted four key pillars of Smart Customs initiatives in the region, namely data driven intelligence, digital single window trade, intelligent inspection, and multilateral connectivity, citing Hong Kong Customs' AI-driven video analytics system "WiseShield" and Project "ValidAP" as examples of innovation. He called for harmonised digital standards, bridging the digital divide and stronger public-private co-operation to ensure growth and resilient supply chains.
In his welcoming remarks as the WCO Vice-Chairperson for the A/P Region, Mr Chan said the conference aimed to strengthen partnerships and enhance co-operation for Smart Customs development in the A/P region. He outlined HongKongCustoms' transformative initiatives, including the application of AI, blockchain, and big data, and emphasised that the success of SmartCustoms relies on mutual trust, partnership and collaboration. HongKongCustoms is committed to advancing digitalisation of Customs practices, strengthening global trade connectivity and building resilient supply chains.
The conference featured a series of presentations and panel discussions that facilitated a robust exchange of experiences and best practices. Delegates also participated in field visits to Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macao to observe firsthand the three Customs authorities' application of innovative technologies in their operations.
The conference concluded with a renewed commitment from all participants to drive the Smart Customs agenda, leveraging technology and partnership to create a more efficient, secure, and connected future for global trade.
Hong Kong Customs hosts landmark regional conference to drive future of Smart Customs Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs hosts landmark regional conference to drive future of Smart Customs Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs hosts landmark regional conference to drive future of Smart Customs Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs hosts landmark regional conference to drive future of Smart Customs Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs hosts landmark regional conference to drive future of Smart Customs Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs hosts landmark regional conference to drive future of Smart Customs Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs hosts landmark regional conference to drive future of Smart Customs Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
