In a separate ruling on 21 September, Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts sentenced two male travellers to one month in prison and a HK$1,000 fine each for attempting to import 8,000 undeclared cigarettes via the Shenzhen Bay control point. The pair were intercepted by Customs officers using handheld X-ray scanners during random checks. The Department said cigarette smuggling often spikes ahead of public holidays when visitor volumes and gift-giving rise. Since August, penalties for first-time offenders have been progressively stiffened, and a full-scale mobile inspection unit will operate at every land border over the coming fortnight. Human-resources teams arranging cross-border staff movements should note that duty-free allowances for cigarettes remain zero in Hong Kong; all quantities must be declared and tax paid. Failure to do so constitutes an offence under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, punishable by up to two years’ imprisonment. The conviction follows a string of arrests involving “couriers” paid small sums to carry tobacco across the boundary. Firms employing drivers or couriers for Shenzhen-Hong Kong shuttle runs are advised to strengthen contractual clauses prohibiting the transport of undeclared dutiable goods.
Source: HKSAR Government Press Release
