Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected illicit heat-not-burn products (with photo)

     Hong Kong Customs seized a total of about 134 000 sticks of suspected illicit heat-not-burn (HNB) products with an estimated market value of about $380,000 and a duty potential of about $260,000 at Hong Kong International Airport, Lai Chi Kok and To Kwa Wan respectively from March 19 to yesterday (March 21).

     Customs officers inspected one consignment of air parcel, declared as health care products, from Japan on March 19 and found about 40 000 sticks of suspected illicit HNB products in 10 carton boxes.

     After follow-up investigation, Customs officers arrested a 40-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman, suspected to be connected with the case, in Lai Chi Kok on March 20. Customs officers further seized about 14 000 sticks of suspected illicit HNB products inside the vehicle of the arrested man.

     Customs officers also inspected two consignments of air parcels, declared as health care products, from Japan on March 20 and found about 80 000 sticks of suspected illicit HNB products in 10 carton boxes.

     After follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday in To Kwa Wan arrested two men, aged 53 and 22, suspected to be connected with the case, and seized a small quantity of suspected illicit HNB products.

     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 2815 7711 to enquire whether a specific tobacco or smoking product is regulated by the DCO.

     Members of the public may also 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).