Four incoming air passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes
Four incoming air passengers were sentenced to eight to nine months' imprisonment, each with a fine of $2,000, by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts yesterday (September 16) and today (September 17) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) (Cap. 109).
Hong Kong Customs has been mounting a special enforcement operation to combat illicit cigarette smuggling activities involving air passengers in recent days. Three Mainland male passengers aged 40, 22 and 36, arriving in Hong Kong from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and a Mainland male passenger aged 51, arriving in Hong Kong from Haikou, were arrested at Hong Kong International Airport. A total of about 260 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $1.17 million and a duty potential of about $860,000, were seized from their personal baggage.
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 and travellers that under the DCO, anyone involved in importing, dealing with, possession of, selling or buying 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, its dedicated crime-reporting email account(crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Four incoming air passengers were sentenced to eight to nine months imprisonment, each with a fine of $2,000, by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts yesterday (September 16) and today (September 17) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109). Photo shows duty-not-paid cigarettes seized from the personal baggage of one of the incoming passengers. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKETO Berlin promotes exchanges in Budapest between logistics services sectors of Hong Kong and Hungary
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) collaborated with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Invest Hong Kong to promote exchanges between the logistics services sector in Hong Kong and the business community in Hungary through the Economic and Trade Express platform during the visit of Hong Kong Logistics Services Mission to Budapest, Hungary organised by the HKTDC from September 14 to 17 (Budapest time).
Hungary is strengthening its position as a logistics hub and gateway between Asia and Europe. Its strategic location in Europe and growing connectivity supports the development of multimodal supply chains and creates new momentum in trade, e-commerce and regional distribution. This in turn provides Hong Kong businesses with opportunities to strengthen their presence in the Central and Eastern Europe market.
The Director of the HKETO Berlin, Mr Indiana Wong, exchanged views with delegates and the local business community at market briefing sessions, a networking lunch and dinner on the latest economic developments and logistics opportunities in Hungary. He highlighted that Hong Kong is well placed to support Hungarian businesses seeking to expand into the Chinese Mainland and Asian markets.
"Hong Kong, with our free port status, world-class infrastructure and comprehensive sea, land and air transport networks, has long been a premier international logistics hub in Asia and an important gateway for trade between the Chinese Mainland and the rest of the world. By combining the strengths of both logistics hubs, we can foster closer trade and logistics co-operation and further strengthen connections between Asia and Central Europe," Mr Wong said.
During the visit, the delegation also visited the Central Europe Trade and Logistics Cooperation Zone, the Hungarian post office logistic centre, Budapest Airport and Cargo City to learn more about the development of Hungary's logistic sector.
About HKETO Berlin
HKETO Berlin is the official representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in commercial relations and other economic and trade matters in Germany as well as Austria, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Switzerland.
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) collaborated with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Invest Hong Kong to promote exchanges between the logistics services sector in Hong Kong and the business community in Hungary during the visit of Hong Kong Logistics Services Mission to Budapest, Hungary organised by the HKTDC from September 14 to 17 (Budapest time). Photo shows the Director of the HKETO Berlin, Mr Indiana Wong (second right), speaking at the networking dinner on September 14. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) collaborated with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Invest Hong Kong to promote exchanges between the logistics services sector in Hong Kong and the business community in Hungary during the visit of Hong Kong Logistics Services Mission to Budapest, Hungary organised by the HKTDC from September 14 to 17 (Budapest time). Photo shows the Director of the HKETO Berlin, Mr Indiana Wong (second right) at the networking lunch hosted on the occasion of Hong Kong Logistics Services Mission to Budapest, Hungary on September 15. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin collaborated with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Invest Hong Kong to promote exchanges between the logistics services sector in Hong Kong and the business community in Hungary during the visit of Hong Kong Logistics Services Mission to Budapest, Hungary organised by the HKTDC from September 14 to 17 (Budapest time). Photo shows the participants of Hong Kong Logistics Services Mission to Budapest, Hungary. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
