Hong Kong Customs detects four sea smuggling cases and seizes suspected illicit cigarettes worth about $230 million
Hong Kong Customs detected four sea smuggling cases via intelligence exchanges and analysis. More than 51 million suspected illicit cigarettes with a total estimated market value of about $230 million and a duty potential of about $170 million were seized.
Through intelligence exchanges with law enforcement agencies in the region and further intelligence analysis, Customs from August to September selected and examined five 40-foot seaborne containers arriving in Hong Kong from the South Asian region and declared as carrying clothes, lighting equipment, electronic parts and hydraulic components, at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound. Large quantities of illicit cigarettes were seized. Preliminary investigation revealed that the batch of illicit cigarettes was destined for other countries or regions but was all intercepted by Hong Kong Customs while in transit.
The investigation is still ongoing. The likelihood of arrests is not ruled out.
The cases displayed Customs' enforcement effectiveness in intercepting cross-border illicit cigarettes at the source through co-operation with law enforcement agencies in the region. The department will continue to foster collaboration and strengthen intelligence exchanges between regional partners in law enforcement, and vigorously combat cross-border illicit cigarette activities.
Customs will continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis, and step up enforcement actions to combat smuggling of illicit cigarettes. Customs stresses that smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60), any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years. Moreover, under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109), any person who 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).
Hong Kong Customs detected four sea smuggling cases via intelligence exchanges and analysis. More than 51 million suspected illicit cigarettes with a total estimated market value of about $230 million and a duty potential of about $170 million were seized. Photo shows the suspected illicit cigarettes seized in the cases. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detected four sea smuggling cases via intelligence exchanges and analysis. More than 51 million suspected illicit cigarettes with a total estimated market value of about $230 million and a duty potential of about $170 million were seized. Photo shows the suspected illicit cigarettes seized in the cases. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detected four sea smuggling cases via intelligence exchanges and analysis. More than 51 million suspected illicit cigarettes with a total estimated market value of about $230 million and a duty potential of about $170 million were seized. Photo shows the suspected illicit cigarettes seized in the cases. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
2026 Maker in China SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest - Hong Kong Chapter successfully held
The 2026 Maker in China SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest - Hong Kong Chapter (MiCHK) Final was held successfully at Cyberport today (October 22). "Industrialization of Flexible, Ultrathin Diamond Wafers" by DiamNEX Limited won the Champion prize, while "NeuroHarbor-AI diagnosis and treatment platform for brain diseases" by NeuroHarbor Limited and "Embodied AI Neurorehabilitation Platform" by Sharpsight Limited won the First Runner-up and Second Runner-up prizes respectively. The three winning teams will represent the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to compete in the Global Final Contest of the Maker in China to be held in Guangzhou at the end of this year.
Addressing the event, the Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Daniel Cheung, said that the MiCHK serves as an important platform for local start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to showcase their innovation and technology (I&T) achievements and expand into the Mainland markets. It enables investors and enterprises from the Mainland to gain an understanding of Hong Kong's quality I&T outcomes, helping these enterprises tap into the Mainland market. He noted that in recent years, multiple shortlisted teams have successfully connected with enterprises. Among them, some teams have entered into co-operation agreements with Mainland governments, while others have attracted attention from investment funds. This has helped accelerate the commercialisation of technological outcomes, enhance brand influence, and further expand into both Mainland and overseas markets.
Mr Cheung congratulated all award-winning teams and encouraged all participating teams to leverage the various government start-up support schemes. He also urged them to focus on the Mainland marketas a key development direction, seize the opportunities presented by the nation's development of new quality productive forces, and better integrate into and serve the country's overall development.
This year's competition attracted a total of 170 local innovation projects, setting an all-time high for entries. Following a preliminary screening and a semi-final held earlier, the top 10 projects advanced to the Final today. The shortlisted project teams delivered live pitches to a panel of judges from various I&T fields, competing for the Champion, First Runner-up, and Second Runner-up honours. The organiser also arranged one-on-one meetings between the 10 shortlisted project teams and investors and corporate representatives from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, facilitating matchmaking discussions on financing and project co-operation.
In addition, the shortlisted teams will have the opportunity to participate in start-up incubation programmes and exhibition events, connect with Mainland investors, establish a presence in the Mainland start-up parks, and receive professional guidance to support the commercialisation of their project outcomes and market expansion. Please refer to makerinchina.hk/ for details about the entries.
With the support of the Guangzhou Municipal Industry and Information Technology Bureau, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangzhou Municipality and the Guangzhou Municipal Huangpu District Industry and Information Technology Bureau, this is the eighth time the regional chapter has taken place in Hong Kong. The 2026 MiCHK is organised by the Digital Policy Office of the HKSAR Government, together with the China Centre for Promotion of SME Development of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People's Republic of China, and the China International Cooperation Association of SMEs. It is formulated by the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited and the Angel Investment Foundation.
2026 Maker in China SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest - Hong Kong Chapter successfully held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
2026 Maker in China SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest - Hong Kong Chapter successfully held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
2026 Maker in China SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest - Hong Kong Chapter successfully held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
2026 Maker in China SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest - Hong Kong Chapter successfully held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
