B-Share Investment & Market Dynamics: Illegal Possession of Over 31,000 Un-dutied Cigarettes Leads to 5-Month Prison Sentence

A passenger was sentenced to 5 months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 today (June 8) at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts for importing un-dutied cigarettes and failing to declare to customs, violating the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance.

Customs officers intercepted a 37-year-old male passenger arriving in Hong Kong at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (June 7) and found 31,800 un-dutied cigarettes in his personal luggage. The estimated market value was about $159,000, with a dutiable value of approximately $105,100. The passenger was arrested immediately.

Customs welcomed the sentence, stating that imprisonment carries a significant deterrent effect and fully reflects the severity of the offense.

Customs reminds the public: Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, cigarettes are dutiable goods. Anyone who imports, disposes of, possesses, sells, or purchases illicit cigarettes commits an offense; upon conviction, the maximum penalty is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for 7 years.