Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes
Two incoming passengers were sentenced to six months' imprisonment and fined $500, and two months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 respectivelyby the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (March 25) 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 an incoming male passenger, aged 38, at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) on March 21 and seized 54 820 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $246,600 and a duty potential of about $181,200, from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and fined $500 today.
As well,Customs officers intercepted an incoming female passenger, aged 38, at HKIA on March 23 and seized 10 381 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $46,700 and a duty potential of about $34,300, from her personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. She was sentenced to two months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 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, 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).
Two incoming passengers were sentenced to six months' imprisonment and fined $500, and two months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 respectively by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (March 25) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes seized from the personal baggage of a 38-year-old female incoming passenger. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Two incoming passengers were sentenced to six months' imprisonment and fined $500, and two months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 respectively by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (March 25) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes seized from the personal baggage of a 38-year-old male incoming passenger. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CS concludes visit to Shaanxi Province
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, visited Shaanxi Province for two consecutive days from yesterday (April 4), where he called on local leaders and exchanged views with officials on strengthening the development of various aspects between the two places, including cultural exchanges, educational co-operation, and innovation and technology.
Mr Chan called on the Secretary of the CPC Shaanxi Provincial Committee, Mr Zhao Yide, yesterday to exchange views on deepening Hong Kong-Shaanxi exchanges and co-operation. The Executive Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xu Qifang, also attended the meeting. Mr Chan said that since the signing of the Strengthening Hong Kong/Shaanxi Co-operation Agreement and a series of Memoranda of Understanding in areassuch as legal services, innovation and technology, education, and tourism in 2024, exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and Shaanxi have yielded fruitful results under the support of the Central Government and through the joint efforts of both places. He added that co-operation in various aspects between the two places, in particular in the areas of cultural exchanges, educational co-operation, and innovation and technology, can be strengthened to achieve complementary advantages in the future.
During the meeting, Mr Chan expressed his gratitude for the invitation by the Shaanxi Provincial People's Government to the memorial ceremony for legendary emperor Huang Di during the Ching Ming Festival. He said that the event was significant, connecting descendants of the Yan and Huang emperors from around the world to worship together the earliest mythical ruler Huang Di, and to pass on the good moral quality of treasuring historical legacies for the Chinese nation. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's participation can help Hong Kong citizens to gain a deeper understanding of the origin of the Chinese civilisation, building a stronger sense of national identity and affection. He also expressed hope for strengthening co-operation in patriotic education with Shaanxi in the future, enabling Hong Kong citizens, especially the younger generation, to gain a deeper understanding of and identification with the nation and Chinese culture.
Mr Chan concluded his visit to Shaanxi Province after attending the memorial ceremony for legendary emperor Huang Di during the Ching Ming Festival this morning, and returned to Hong Kong this afternoon.
CS concludes visit to Shaanxi Province Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CS concludes visit to Shaanxi Province Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CS concludes visit to Shaanxi Province Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CS concludes visit to Shaanxi Province Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
