Press Release
Hong Kong Customs detects two seaborne smuggling cases with seizure of tobacco products worth about $65 million (with photo)
Hong Kong Customs detected two cases of tobacco products smuggling activities involving containers in Kwai Chung and Tuen Mun on January 27. A total of about 5 800 kilograms of suspected duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco and about 5.9 million of suspected illicit cigarettes with a total estimated market value of about $65 million and a duty potential of about $43 million in total were seized.
In the first case, through risk assessment and intelligence analysis, Customs on January 27 selected and inspected a 40-foot container, arriving from Singapore to Hong Kong and declared as carrying cosmetics, at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound. Upon inspection, Customs officers seized about 3.4 million suspected illicit cigarettes inside the container.
In the second case, Customs at the Tuen Mun River Trade Terminal Customs Cargo Examination Compound on the same day examined a 40-foot container, arriving in Hong Kong from Guangdong and declared as carrying household goods. A total of about 5 800kg of suspected duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco and about 2.5 million suspected illicit cigarettes were seized therein.
Investigations into the two cases are ongoing, and Customs will continue to trace the source and the flow of the illicit cigarettes.
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 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).
Ends/Wednesday, February 5, 2025
