Hong Kong Customs yesterday (May 2) seized about 48 000 suspected illicit heat-not-burn (HNB) products and about 250 suspected illicit HNB capsules with an estimated market value of about $140,000 and a duty potential of about $90,000 at Hong Kong International Airport.
Two male passengers arrived in Hong Kong from Osaka, Japan yesterday evening. During Customs clearance, the batch of suspected illicit HNB products were found inside the luggage carried by them. The two 50-year-old men were then arrested.
Investigation is ongoing.
Customs reminds members of the public that under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO), tobacco is dutiable goods to which DCO applies. Any HNB products containing tobacco in content is also dutiable goods subject to the control of DCO. Any person who possesses, sells or buys dutiable commodities without a valid license commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.
Members of the public may call the Customs' hotline 2815 7711 regarding whether specific tobacco or smoking product is under the regulation of DCO. They may also report any suspected violation of the DCO to the Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Ends/Friday, May 3, 2019
