Remarks by SCED at media session
Following are the remarks by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, at a media session after attending The Festival of Connoisseurs Press Conference today (September 3):
Reporter: Secretary, could you please explain in English, what specific factors have the Government considered to really support the events? And also, how would you measure the effectiveness of the events?
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: I think the most important thing is that we would like to introduce something new, mega, and not being done in Hong Kong. That's why we have $100 million in funding to attract this kind of mega event coming to Hong Kong, so as to showcase to the world that Hong Kong is a good place and a platform for branded goods from the Mainland and also overseas. So the impact and effect have to be evaluated later on, after the event was introduced, after November this year. But for normal exhibitions, the spending power of individuals is around HK$9,300, and I believe for this kind of mega and high-profile event with superyacht and supercar elements, visitors will spend more in Hong Kong, bringing benefits to Hong Kong's economic development.
Thank you.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)
Source: AI-found images
Grocery store shopkeeper convicted and jailed for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes
A grocery store shopkeeper was sentenced to eight weeks' imprisonment by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts yesterday (September 2) for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) (Cap. 109).
During a Customs' anti-illicit cigarette operation on San Shing Avenue in Sheung Shui on January 30, 2026, a grocery store was found to offer cigarettes for sale at a price less than the statutory duty imposed thereon. Customs officers thus took prompt enforcement actions to arrest a 62-year-old female shopkeeper, and seized a total of 8 560 illicit cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $39,000 and a duty potential of about $28,000.
Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
After the amended DCO took effect on September 19, 2025, cigarettes sold or offered for sale at a price lower than the tobacco duty must be proven to be duty-paid, otherwise the cigarettes are presumed to be duty-not-paid. Customs also keeps a close eye on the market, patrols frequently and takes prompt enforcement actions.
Customs reminds cigarette retailers not to sell cigarettes of unknown source and stay alert to cigarettes supplied at a price less than the statutory duty. Under the DCO, if a cigarette is offered for sale or supply at a consideration the value of which is less than the rate of duty imposed on the cigarette, the cigarette is dutiable goods. In addition, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying duty-not-paid 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, its dedicated crime-reporting email account(crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Grocery store shopkeeper convicted and jailed for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
