Hong Kong Customs Holds Passing-out Parade for 147th Inspector Induction Courses

Hong Kong Customs holds passing-out parade

Hong Kong Customs held the Passing-out Parade for the 147th Inspector Induction Courses and the 511th-512th Customs Officer Induction Courses at the Hong Kong Customs College today (November 4). Mr Richard Tang officiated at the passing-out parade to inspect nine Probationary Customs Inspectors and 35 Probationary Customs Officers on parade.

Speaking at the passing-out parade, Reviewing Officer Mr Tang said that under Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong closely adheres to the principle of "leveraging Hong Kong's strengths to serve the country's needs". Building on the bridging role between the Mainland and the world, Hong Kong endeavours to advance the development of the "four centres and one hub" and deepen its integration with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). As the core department for external connection and the guardian of the country's gateway, Hong Kong Customs is a vital force of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in carrying out Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan and aligning with national strategies.

He added that the development of control points under the National 15th Five-Year Plan has given Hong Kong Customs a new mission. With the smart upgrade of the Huanggang Port, the implementation of "hard and soft connectivity", the optimisation of customs clearance mechanisms in GBA boundary control points, as well as the advancement of AI, big data and smart equipment, Hong Kong Customs plays an indispensable role in implementing Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan.

Mr Tang encouraged the passing-out officers to uphold loyalty and enforce the law for the people, to keep pace with the times and embrace innovation, and to pass on the torch and remain devoted to the city and country at this critical juncture marked by a new plan and new mission. Noting that national strategies and the opportunities brought by the GBA have opened up a broad arena for Hong Kong, he expressed hope that the passing-out officers would contribute to Hong Kong's high-quality development and long-term stability.

Hong Kong Customs Passing-out Parade was held today (November 4). Photo shows Reviewing Officer Mr Richard Tang (left) and the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat (right) inspecting the Customs and Excise Department Guards of Honour. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs Passing-out Parade was held today (November 4). Photo shows Reviewing Officer Mr Richard Tang delivering a speech. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs Passing-out Parade was held today (November 4). Photo shows Reviewing Officer Mr Richard Tang (third right) inspecting passing-out officers. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs Passing-out Parade was held today (November 4). Photo shows passing-out officers performing the Chinese-style foot drill. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs takes territory-wide law enforcement actions against illicit cigarette selling points

Hong Kong Customs has been mounting a decoy operation targeting cigarette retail points in various districts in Hong Kong since November 3. A total of about 128 000 suspected illicit cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $580,000 and a duty potential of about $420,000, have been seized. Ten persons have been arrested.

Customs has been closely monitoring the market situation. It has also been staying alert to recent reports indicating that some retail points are selling illicit cigarettes, as well as "cheap whites" priced below the level of statutory duty. Customs is highly concerned about the situation and promptly met with relevant parties to gather information, upon which they conducted an investigation and prepared for the operation.

During the operation, Customs officers disguised as customers and conducted test buys at different cigarette retail points, including newsstands, grocery shops and hawker stalls. Some retail points were found to offer cigarettes for sale at a price less than the statutory duty imposed thereon. As at today (November 5), Customs has taken prompt enforcement actions against seven cigarette retail points in Yau Ma Tei, Sham Shui Po, Tsuen Wan, Shau Kei Wan, Tuen Mun and Kwun Tong, and arrested the shop owners and staff. Ten persons, comprising five men and five women aged between 43 and 90, were arrested.

The operation is ongoing in different districts. If newsstands and retail shops are involved in offences related to duty-not-paid cigarettes, Customs will take prompt enforcement actions and will notify relevant departments for follow-up actions on matters related to leases and licences after the conclusion of court proceedings.

Customs reminds cigarette retailers not to sell cigarettes of unknown sources and stay alert to cigarettes supplied at a price less than the statutory duty. Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109), 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).

Hong Kong Customs has been mounting a decoy operation targeting cigarette retail points in various districts since November 3. A total of about 128 000 suspected illicit cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $580,000 and a duty potential of about $420,000, have been seized. Ten persons have been arrested. Photo shows one of the cigarette retail points connected with the cases. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs has been mounting a decoy operation targeting cigarette retail points in various districts since November 3. A total of about 128 000 suspected illicit cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $580,000 and a duty potential of about $420,000, have been seized. Ten persons have been arrested. Photo shows one of the cigarette retail points connected with the cases. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases