Hong Kong Customs detected two cases of tobacco products smuggling activities involving seaborne containers at the Tuen Mun River Trade Terminal on June 24, June 26 and July 3. A total of about 5 200 kilograms of suspected duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco and about 5.1 million of suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $58 million and a duty potential of about $38 million were seized.
​Through risk assessment and intelligence analysis, Customs on June 24 selected and inspected a 40-foot seaborne container, arriving from Nansha to Hong Kong and declared as carrying food containers, at the Tuen Mun River Trade Terminal Customs Cargo Examination Compound. Upon inspection, Customs officers seized about 5 200 kilograms of suspected duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco inside the container.
Customs detected another case at the Tuen Mun River Trade Terminal Customs Cargo Examination Compound on June 26 and July 3, when two 40-foot containers, both arriving in Hong Kong from Nansha and declared as carrying faucets and toys respectively, were inspected. A total of about 5.1 million suspected illicit cigarettes were seized, and a 64-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case was arrested.
Investigations of the two cases are ongoing, and the arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation.
Customs will continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis, and step up enforcement actions to combat the smuggling of 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/).
