Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and alternative smoking products
An incoming Chinese female passenger was sentenced to seven months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (June 25) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes, failing to declare them to Customs officers, as well as importing alternative smoking products (ASPs), in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) and the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO).
Customs officers intercepted an incoming 40-year-old Chinese female passenger at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (June 24) and seized about 39 900 duty-not-paid cigarettes and 10 800 ASPs, with a total estimated market value of about $212,000 and a duty potential of about $132,000 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, tobacco products are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who deals with, possesses, sells or buys duty-not-paid tobacco commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Under the IEO, any person who imports an alternative smoking product into Hong Kong 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 Chinese female passenger was sentenced to seven months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (June 25) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes, failing to declare them to Customs officers, as well as importing alternative smoking products (ASPs), in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance and the Import and Export Ordinance. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes and ASPs seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Government launches public consultation for 2026 Policy Address
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) will launch a public consultation for the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address next Monday (June 29).
"I strive to lead my team to drive reforms by adopting a 'result-oriented' approach, focusing on actions and delivery of results, and ensuring that policy measures are effectively implemented. My team and I have always been listening to the views from different sectors, driving economic growth, improving people's livelihood, with the aim to enable the public to share the benefits of development and enhance their well-being," Mr Lee said.
"The HKSAR Government is pressing ahead at full speed with the formulation of Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan and will spare no effort in taking forward the preparatory work. As a forward-looking, strategic and directional guiding document, the Plan will map out Hong Kong's economic and social development over the coming five years. The Policy Address will set out the Chief Executive's annual policy agenda, establish a number of specific targets to respond to the requirements and directions of the Plan, report on the progress of implementation, and introduce policy measures having regard to the actual situation of the year. The HKSAR Government will strive for a vibrant economy and pursue development to enhance the well-being of the public. Hong Kong will continue to leverage the unique advantages of having strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world under the 'one country, two systems' principle, consolidate and enhance Hong Kong's status as an international financial, shipping and trading centre, accelerate its development into an international innovation and technology centre, build an international hub for high-calibre talent, proactively seizing the major opportunities brought by the National 15th Five-Year Plan, and better integrating into and serving the overall national development."
"I invite you all to share your views on the 2026 Policy Address. My team and I will listen to and consider your views carefully. We look forward to receiving your suggestions. Let's work together to write a brighter chapter for Hong Kong."
During the consultation period, the Chief Executive and the Principal Officials will, as always, attend a number of online and face-to-face consultation sessions, and will also engage the community to extensively gather the views from all walks of life, including industry representatives, district organisations, political parties and members of the public.
Starting from June 29, members of the public can offer their views through the Policy Address website (www.policyaddress.gov.hk), via the dedicated Facebook page for the Policy Address public consultation (www.facebook.com/PolicyAddressConsultation), by email (policyaddress@cepu.gov.hk), phone (2432 1899), fax (2537 9083), or by post (address: Policy Address Team, Chief Executive’s Policy Unit, 26/F, West Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong).
