Passenger Sentenced for Smuggling 36,000 Cigarettes into Hong Kong Without Declaring to Customs

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming passenger was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (June 1) 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 a 40-year-old incoming female passenger at Hong Kong International Airport on May 29 and seized 36 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $180,000 and a duty potential of about $119,000, from her personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested.

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).

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects suspected case of illegal importing of animals

Hong Kong Customs today (June 1) detected a suspected case of illegal importing of animals at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point. Two suspected illegally imported live hamsters with a total estimated market value of about $40 were seized.

Customs officers today intercepted an incoming 50-year-old male passenger at the Arrival Hall of the Control Point. Upon examination, two live hamsters were seized from his rucksack, and he was subsequently arrested. The case has been handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up investigation.

Customs reminds the public that importing animals into Hong Kong without a valid permit is an offence.

Under the Rabies Regulation, any person found guilty of illegally importing animals, carcasses or animal products is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for one year.

Hong Kong Customs detects suspected case of illegal importing of animals Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases