Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes
An incoming Chinese female passenger was sentenced to four weeks' imprisonment by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (June 26) for possessing 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 42-year-old Chinese female passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on May 28 and seized 2 600 duty-not-paid cigarettes from her personal baggage, with an estimated market value of about $10,600 and a duty potential of about $8,500. The female passenger was subsequently arrested.
Customs welcomes the sentence, noting that even a first-time offender may still be imprisoned. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Members of the public should not defy the law.
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 possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Staff member of waterproofing service company convicted of applying false trade description
A staff member of a waterproofing service company was convicted of applying a false trade description to waterproofing services, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO), and was sentenced to imprisonment for four months, suspended for three years, and fined HK$2,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (June 26).
Hong Kong Customs received informationin May 2025 alleging that a waterproofing service company staff member had engaged in unfair trade practices in the supply of waterproofing services.
Customs investigations revealed that the waterproofing work was carried out by way of injecting waterproofing materials, and the charges were calculated based on the weight in kilograms of materials used, amounting to $45,000. The staff member made a false claim to the consumer that a three-year free maintenance would be provided upon completion of the work. However, the water leakage problem persisted after the completion of waterproof work, and the staff member could no longer be reached. Ultimately, the staff member and the company involved failed to fulfill the promise to provide maintenance service to the consumer.
Customs welcomes the sentence which has given a clear warning to unscrupulous practitioners in the industry. The department has all along been concerned about the unfair trade practices across all sectors and industries. Should any person or trader be found to have contravened the TDO, Customs will take decisive enforcement actions and will not tolerate any illegal acts.
Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO. Consumers are also reminded to procure services from reputable shops. After purchasing services, they should keep the relevant records, such as transaction receipts and contracts, which can become basic information in case a complaint is lodged in the future.
Under the TDO, any person who in the course of any trade or business applies a false trade description to any service commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO 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).
Source: AI-found images
