Two mainland travellers jailed for importing untaxed cigarettes into Hong Kong
Hong Kong Customs sentenced two mainland Chinese travellers for importing untaxed cigarettes. A 54-year-old woman was caught with 12,000 cigarettes in April. A 31-year-old man was caught with 38,200 cigarettes in October. Both were sentenced to jail. Customs warns the public that such offences carry
Hong Kong Customs has secured prison sentences for two mainland Chinese travellers caught importing untaxed cigarettes at Hong Kong International Airport, the government announced on 5 October 2026.
Customs officers intercepted a 54-year-old female mainland traveller on 14 April after she arrived from Tokyo, Japan. A search of her personal luggage uncovered about 12,000 untaxed cigarettes with an estimated market value of HK$50,000 and a duty-evaded amount of approximately HK$40,000. She was arrested immediately.
In a separate case, on 3 October, officers stopped a 31-year-old male mainland traveller, also arriving from Tokyo. His personal luggage contained about 38,200 untaxed cigarettes, valued at around HK$172,000, with an estimated HK$126,000 in evaded duties. He too was taken into custody.
Customs welcomed the sentences, stating that custodial penalties serve as a strong deterrent and reflect the seriousness of the offences.
Under Hong Kong's Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, cigarettes are dutiable goods. Any person who imports, handles, possesses, sells or buys smuggled cigarettes commits an offence. Upon conviction, the maximum penalty is a fine of up to HK$2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Customs reminded the public to report suspected smuggled cigarette activities via the 24-hour hotline 182 8080, the dedicated email account [email protected], or the online form at eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002.