Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes
Two incoming Chinese men were sentenced to 28 to 31 weeks of imprisonment respectively, and each fined $2,000, by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (June 13) 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 Chinese male passenger, aged 49, at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) on June 11. Customs officers seized about 46 600 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $233,000 and a duty potential of about $154,000, from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to 28 weeks of imprisonment and fined $2,000 today.
Additionally, Customs officers intercepted an incoming Chinese male passenger, aged 44, at HKIA on the same day and seized about 57 600 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $290,000 and a duty potential of about $190,000, from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to 31 weeks of imprisonment and fined $2,000 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 Chinese men were sentenced to 28 to 31 weeks of imprisonment respectively, and each fined $2,000, by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (June 13) 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 the 44-year-old incoming Chinese male passenger. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Two incoming Chinese men were sentenced to 28 to 31 weeks of imprisonment respectively, and each fined $2,000, by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (June 13) 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 the 49-year-old incoming Chinese male passenger. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
10th Anniversary Fun Day@HK ICH Centre to showcase diverse Intangible Cultural Heritage of different ethnic groups
The Intangible Cultural Heritage Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department is holding the 10th Anniversary Fun Day@HK ICH Centre today (June 13) and tomorrow (June 14) at the Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage Centre (Hong Kong ICH Centre) located at Sam Tung Uk Museum, Tsuen Wan. The fun day is a programme under Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Month 2026. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Hong Kong ICH Centre and be themed around diverse ICH, the fun day showcases the rich and diverse cultures of different ethnic groups and communities in Hong Kong through a variety of ICH performances, interactive activities, experiential booths and guided tours.
Highlights of the first day's performances included an inclusive Cantonese opera performance presented by non-ethnic Chinese children, Hoi Luk Fung unicorn dance, young Chiu Chow music and Hakka Folk Song Duet. A variety of free interactive activities were staged for members of the public, such as workshops on patterned band weaving and prosperity motif embroidery, a traditional architecture preservation technique demonstration and experience led by a veteran historic building restoration master, and the Cantonese Literary Fun Hub. Moreover, visitors could make diffuser stones with auspicious animal designs, 10th anniversary magnets, postcards stamped with the "Ten-Year Imprint", and more at the fun day, and appreciate creative paper craft products and old photos of Sam Tung Uk.
Highlights for tomorrow include the "Village Chief Leads the Way: Deep Dive into Sam Tung Uk" tour, led by the village chief of Sam Tung Uk Village, Mr Chan Kam-hong, allowing participants to explore the ingenuity of the architectural layout story of Sam Tung Uk, a Hakka walled house with over 200 years of history, from the perspective of an indigenous resident. A Teej performance, with Nepali women singing and dancing in traditional costumes, will also be presented, as well as an Indian festival activity introducing the history, origins, and customs of Indian festivals such as Diwali, offering participants an opportunity to learn about traditional folk dances and chants. Other not-to-be-missed programmes will include the art of Chiu Chow Kung Fu tea demonstration and experience, shadow puppetry performances, as well as stilt house construction technique model demonstrations.
For details of the fun day, please visit the website:www.icho.hk/en/web/icho/2026_hkich_month_carnival_stum.html.
The 10th Anniversary Fun Day@HK ICH Centre will be held today and tomorrow (June 13 and 14) at the Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage Centre. Photo shows members of the public stamping postcards with the "Ten-Year Imprint". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The 10th Anniversary Fun Day@HK ICH Centre will be held today and tomorrow (June 13 and 14) at the Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage Centre. Photo shows creative paper craft products on display. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The 10th Anniversary Fun Day@HK ICH Centre will be held today and tomorrow (June 13 to 14) at the Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage Centre. Photo shows the patterned band weaving workshop. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The 10th Anniversary Fun Day@HK ICH Centre will be held today and tomorrow (June 13 and 14) at the Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage Centre. Photo shows the young Chiu Chow music performance. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The 10th Anniversary Fun Day@HK ICH Centre will be held today and tomorrow (June 13 and 14) at the Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage Centre. Photo shows members of the public participating in the prosperity motif embroidery workshop. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The 10th Anniversary Fun Day@HK ICH Centre will be held today and tomorrow (June 13 and 14) at the Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage Centre. Photo shows the Hoi Luk Fung unicorn dance. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The 10th Anniversary Fun Day@HK ICH Centre will be held today and tomorrow (June 13 and 14) at the Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage Centre. Photo shows the inclusive Cantonese opera performance presented by non-ethnic Chinese children. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
