Mainland Chinese man jailed for importing 20,000 duty-free cigarettes into Hong Kong
Customs officers at Hong Kong International Airport arrested a 37-year-old mainland Chinese man on 12 November after finding about 20,000 duty-unpaid cigarettes in his luggage. He was sentenced to imprisonment. Customs welcomed the sentence, calling it a deterrent for smuggling.
Customs officers at Hong Kong International Airport arrested a 37-year-old mainland Chinese man on 12 November after intercepting him upon his arrival from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, via Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The man was found carrying about 20,000 duty-unpaid cigarettes in his personal luggage.
The seized cigarettes have an estimated market value of about HK$90,000, with unpaid duty of about HK$66,000. The passenger was arrested at the scene and subsequently sentenced to imprisonment.
Hong Kong Customs welcomed the sentence, stating that the jail term serves as a significant deterrent and fully reflects the seriousness of the offence. Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, cigarettes are classified as dutiable goods.
The ordinance states that anyone who imports, handles, possesses, sells or purchases smuggled cigarettes commits an offence. Upon conviction, an offender faces a maximum fine of HK$2 million and up to seven years in prison.
Customs reminded the public that they can report suspected smuggling activities via the 24-hour hotline 182 8080, the dedicated email address [email protected], or the online form at eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002.
