Hong Kong Customs yesterday (October 12) detected a large-scale illicit cigarette smuggling case and seized about eight million suspected illicit cigarettes at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound. The estimated market value was about $30 million with a duty potential of about $20 million.
Through risk assessment and intelligence analysis, Customs yesterday selected and inspected a 40-foot seaborne container, arriving from Taiwan to Hong Kong and declared as carrying electronic parts. Upon inspection, Customs officers seized the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes inside the container.
An investigation is ongoing. Customs will continue to trace the source and flow of the illicit cigarettes.
Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.
Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Ends/Friday, October 13, 2023
