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
Consumer Price Indices for September 2026
The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (October 22) the Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures for September 2026. According to the Composite CPI, overall consumer prices rose by 1.9% in September 2026 over the same month a year earlier, larger than the corresponding increase (1.7%) in August 2026. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rate of increase in the Composite CPI (i.e. the underlying inflation rate) in September 2026 was 2.1%, also larger than that in August 2026 (1.9%). The larger increase in September 2026 was mainly due to the accelerated increases in inbound and outbound transport fares and the charges for package holidays.
On a seasonally adjusted basis, the average monthly rate of increase in the Composite CPI for the 3-month period ending September 2026 was 0.2%, the same as that for the 3-month period ending August 2026. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the corresponding rates of increase were both 0.2%.
Analysed by sub-index, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 1.4%, 2.0% and 2.3% respectively in September 2026, as compared to 1.2%, 1.8% and 1.9% respectively in August 2026. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 1.7%, 2.2% and 2.4% respectively in September 2026, as compared to 1.6%, 2.0% and 2.0% respectively in August 2026.
On a seasonally adjusted basis, for the 3-month period ending September 2026, the average monthly rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were all 0.2%. The corresponding rates of increase for the 3-month period ending August 2026 were 0.2%, 0.1% and 0.1% respectively. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the average monthly rates of increase in the seasonally adjusted CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) for the 3-month period ending September 2026 were 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.2% respectively, and the corresponding rates of increase for the 3-month period ending August 2026 were 0.2%, 0.1% and 0.1% respectively.
Amongst the various components of the Composite CPI, year-on-year increases in prices were recorded in September 2026 for electricity, gas and water (12.9%), miscellaneous services (5.3%), transport (5.2%), miscellaneous goods (2.1%), durable goods (1.1%), meals out and takeaway food (1.0%), clothing and footwear (0.3%), and housing (0.2%).
On the other hand, year-on-year decreases in the components of the Composite CPI were recorded in September 2026 for alcoholic drinks and tobacco (-0.4%), and basic food (-0.2%).
Taking the first 9 months of 2026 together, the Composite CPI rose by 1.7% over the same period a year earlier. The respective increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 1.5%, 1.8% and 1.9% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures were 1.7%, 1.4%, 1.8% and 1.9% respectively.
In the third quarter of 2026, the Composite CPI rose by 1.7% over the same period a year earlier, while the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) rose by 1.3%, 1.9% and 2.1% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures were 2.0%, 1.7%, 2.1% and 2.2% respectively.
For the 12 months ending September 2026, the Composite CPI on average rose by 1.6% over the same period a year earlier. The respective increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 1.5%, 1.7% and 1.7% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures were 1.6%, 1.3%, 1.6% and 1.7% respectively.
Commentary
A Government spokesman said that the underlying Composite CPI rose by 2.1% in September over a year earlier, up from 1.9% in the preceding month, largely driven by faster price increases in fuel-related items. Yet, price increases of other components were largely modest, thus keeping overall inflation moderate.
Looking ahead, consumer price inflation will remain under upward pressure, as persistently elevated international oil prices feed through to fuel-related components amid ongoing geopolitical tension in the Middle East. Yet, as price pressures on other fronts are expected to remain largely contained, overall inflation should stay moderate.
Further information
The CPIs and year-on-year rates of change at section level for September 2026 are shown in Table 1. The time series on the year-on-year rates of change in the CPIs before and after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures are shown in Table 2. For discerning the latest trend in consumer prices, it is also useful to look at the changes in the seasonally adjusted CPIs. The time series on the average monthly rates of change during the latest 3 months for the seasonally adjusted CPIs are shown in Table 3. The rates of change in the original and the seasonally adjusted Composite CPI and the underlying inflation rate are presented graphically in Chart 1.
More detailed statistics are given in the "Monthly Report on the Consumer Price Index". Users can browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1060001&scode=270).
For enquiries about the CPIs, please contact the Consumer Price Index Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7374 or email: cpi@censtatd.gov.hk).
Source: AI-found images
