Hong Kong Customs Organises a Customs YES Youth International Engagement Tour to Macao for Cultural Exploration.

Hong Kong Customs organises Customs YES Youth International Engagement Tour to Macao

Hong Kong Customs organised the Customs YES Youth International Engagement Tour to Macao on October 11 and 12. A total of 20 Customs YES members visited Macao. Through visits to the platform for commercial and trade co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, historical and cultural heritage sites, and local customs enforcement facilities, members gained a comprehensive understanding of Macao's unique advantages and hub functions in the country's overall opening-up. Members also participated in the 36th World Customs Organization (WCO) Asia/Pacific (A/P) Regional Contact Points Meeting to deepen their knowledge of international customs co-operation and frontier enforcement developments.

To strengthen interactive exchanges between the youth of Hong Kong and Macao, the delegation first participated in a Portuguese egg tart baking workshop alongside members of "Jovens Protectores do Original", the youth programme of Macao Customs, to experience Macao's distinctive culinary culture and to forge friendships. The delegation subsequently visited the Maritime Enforcement Department of the Macao Customs Service and toured its fleet to gain insights into Macao Customs' enforcement work in safeguarding maritime security, conducting marine patrols, and combating smuggling.

To enhance members' understanding of Macao's strategic positioning as "One Centre, One Platform and One Base", the delegation visited the Pavilion of China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Commercial and Trade Service Platform to learn about the development of economic and trade co-operation between the country and Portuguese-speaking nations, as well as Macao's bridging role in fostering Sino-Portuguese economic, trade, and cultural exchanges and co-operation. As this year marks the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the delegation also visited General Ye Ting's Former Residence to learn about the heroic deeds of the revolutionary predecessor, and modern Chinese history, thereby fostering their affection for and sense of belonging to the country. In addition, members toured cultural landmarks including the Ruins of St. Paul's, the Mount Fortress, and Rua do Cunha, experiencing firsthand the profound cultural heritage blending Chinese and Western influences in Macao.

Making full use of its capacity as the WCO Vice-Chair for the A/P region, Hong Kong Customs actively facilitated youth engagement on the global stage by specially arranging for the delegation to participate in the 36th WCO A/P Regional Contact Points Meeting held in Macao. During the welcoming reception of the meeting, Customs YES members assisted in receiving foreign guests and, for the first time, worked with a Macao youth representative to serve as masters of ceremonies. The youths from both sides demonstrated confidence and dedication in front of customs delegates across the Asia-Pacific region, telling the good stories of contemporary China and Hong Kong on the international stage.

Customs YES will continue to organise diversified Mainland and international exchange activities in alignment with the National 15th Five-Year Plan and the relevant policy directions set out in Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan. These initiatives aim to help young people broaden their global horizons, enhance their understanding of the development positioning of both the country and Hong Kong, and encourage them to proactively equip themselves, leverage their strengths, and actively integrate into and serve the overall development of the nation.

Hong Kong Customs organised the Customs YES Youth International Engagement Tour to Macao on October 11 and 12. Photo shows Customs YES members participating in the 36th World Customs Organization Asia/Pacific Regional Contact Points Meeting and interacting with a foreign guest. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs organised the Customs YES Youth International Engagement Tour to Macao on October 11 and 12. Photo shows a Customs YES member being interviewed at the 36th World Customs Organization Asia/Pacific Regional Contact Points Meeting. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs organised the Customs YES Youth International Engagement Tour to Macao on October 11 and 12. Photo shows a Customs YES member serving as master of ceremonies at the welcoming reception of the 36th World Customs Organization Asia/Pacific Regional Contact Points Meeting, alongside a Macao youth representative. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs organised the Customs YES Youth International Engagement Tour to Macao on October 11 and 12. Photo shows Customs YES members visiting General Ye Ting's Former Residence. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs organised the Customs YES Youth International Engagement Tour to Macao on October 11 and 12. Photo shows Customs YES members visiting the Ruins of St. Paul's. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs organised the Customs YES Youth International Engagement Tour to Macao on October 11 and 12. Photo shows Customs YES members visiting the Pavilion of China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Commercial and Trade Service Platform to learn about the development of economic and trade co-operation between the country and Portuguese-speaking countries. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs organised the Customs YES Youth International Engagement Tour to Macao on October 11 and 12. Photo shows Customs YES members and members of "Jovens Protectores do Original" visiting the Maritime Enforcement Department of Macao Customs and touring its fleet. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs organised the Customs YES Youth International Engagement Tour to Macao on October 11 and 12. Photo shows Customs YES members participating in a Portuguese egg tart baking workshop alongside members of "Jovens Protectores do Original". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming male passenger was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment and fined $2,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (October 15) 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 30-year-old Mainland male passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (October 14) and seized about 82 400 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $371,000 and a duty potential of about $273,000, from his 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, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys 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 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

An incoming male passenger was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment and fined $2,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (October 15) 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. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases