Hong Kong Customs raids illicit heat-not-burn product storage (with photo)

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 22) raided an illicit heat-not-burn (HNB) product storage in Cheung Sha Wan. About 50 000 suspected illicit HNB products with an estimated market value of about $140,000 and a duty potential of about $80,000 were seized.

     Customs officers conducted an anti-illicit cigarette operation in Cheung Sha Wan yesterday and seized inside a mini-storage at an industrial building the batch of suspected illicit HNB products, with an emerging brand involved. Two men suspected to be connected with the case, aged 19 and 42, 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 report any suspected violation of the DCO to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).