Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes
An incoming male passenger was sentenced to a total of 10 weeks' imprisonment and fined $3,300 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (May 20) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).
Customs officers first intercepted the 74-year-old incoming male passenger at the Lo Wu Control Point on April 13 and seized 2 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes from his luggage. The male passenger was subsequently arrested, charged and released on bail pending trial. The man later re-entered Hong Kong at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on April 17. Customs officers further seized 2 988 duty-not-paid cigarettes from his luggage. The male passenger was subsequently arrested again and charged. A total of 4 988 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated total market value of about $20,450 and a total duty potential of about $16,489 were seized in the two interceptions.
Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects 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).
An incoming male passenger was sentenced to a total of 10 weeks' imprisonment and fined $3,300 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (May 20) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photos show the duty-not-paid cigarettes seized in the second interception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
An incoming male passenger was sentenced to a total of 10 weeks' imprisonment and fined $3,300 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (May 20) for possessing 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 in the first interception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FS begins visit to Brussels, Belgium (with photos/video)
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, yesterday (May 20, Paris time) proceeded to visit Brussels, Belgium, during which he met with a number of European Union (EU) officials and European business leaders to promote Hong Kong's advantages.
After arriving in Brussels, Mr Chan met respectively with the Deputy Director-General for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union of the European Commission, Dr Alexandra Jour-Schroeder; the Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific of the European External Action Service, Mr Erik Kurzweil; and the Hors Classe Adviser in the Directorate-General for Budget of the European Commission, Mr Siegfried Ruhl. They exchanged views on the experience of Hong Kong and Europe in areas including the economy, finance, trade and fiscal policy, and explored ways to further promote co-operation and build closer, mutually beneficial and win-win relations.
During the above meetings, Mr Chan briefed them on Hong Kong's economic and financial development. He pointed out that, amid the current challenging international political and economic environment, Hong Kong, under "one country, two systems", maintains its status as a free port, with the free flow of capital, information and talent. Hong Kong also adheres to international best practices in business, accounting and professional services, has stable and predictable economic and trade policies, and continues to innovate and develop its financial markets. He welcomed the European business and investment communities to make full use of Hong Kong as a platform to raise funds for developing markets in the Chinese Mainland and Asia.
Mr Chan also said that there is room for Hong Kong and Europe to strengthen co-operation in various fields, and that the two sides should engage in more exchanges of experience, mutual learning and joint development. For example, in the financial sector, the two sides could explore arrangements for dual listing by European enterprises in the two markets, develop fixed-income and currency markets, promote green finance and financial innovation, and better channel private savings to support industries and economic development.
Mr Chan also met with the Chief Executive Officer of Euroclear, a European financial intermediary institution, Ms Valérie Urbain, to exchange views on the global economic situation and financial market developments. In addition, he met with the representative of a renowned local family to learn about the development of its group's business in Hong Kong and Asia, and introduced Hong Kong's advantages in various aspects. He suggested that the group increase its investment in Hong Kong and use Hong Kong as its regional headquarters for managing its business and treasury activities in the region.
He also called on the Head of Mission and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the European Union, Mr Cai Run, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Kingdom of Belgium, Mr Fei Shengchao. They had in-depth exchanges on China-Europe relations and the latest developments in Hong Kong.
Mr Chan will depart today (May 21, Brussels time) for the visit to Zurich, Switzerland.
FS begins visit to Brussels, Belgium (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FS begins visit to Brussels, Belgium (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FS begins visit to Brussels, Belgium (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FS begins visit to Brussels, Belgium (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FS begins visit to Brussels, Belgium (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FS begins visit to Brussels, Belgium (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
