Hong Kong Customs today (January 16) seized about 140 000 suspected illicit heat-not-burn (HNB) products in Sheung Shui, with an estimated market value of about $400,000 and a duty potential of about $270,000.
During an anti-illicit cigarette operation in Sheung Shui in the early hours today, Customs officers intercepted two men and four women and found the batch of suspected illicit HNB products in their personal baggage.
The six persons, aged between 23 and 40, were arrested.
An investigation is ongoing.
Customs reminds members of the public that under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO), tobacco products are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any HNB products containing tobacco in content are also dutiable goods subject to the control of the DCO. Any person who imports, possesses, sells or buys dutiable commodities without a valid licence 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 at 2815 7711 to enquire whether a specific tobacco or smoking product is under the regulation of the DCO. They may also report any suspected violation of the DCO to Customs' 24-hour hotline at 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Ends/Thursday, January 16, 2020
