Editor’s Note
This article highlights the ongoing challenge of contraband cigarettes in Hong Kong, driven by price disparities and persistent demand. It is part of our coverage on customs enforcement and public health policy.
Customs cracked more illicit cigarette cases last year. At the year-end press conference, Commissioner of Customs and Excise Chan Tsz-dat stated that although Hong Kong’s overall smoking rate has declined, there are still many smokers. Coupled with Hong Kong’s relatively high tobacco tax compared to neighboring regions, it attracts more people hoping to bring cheaper cigarettes into Hong Kong from abroad. Chan expressed confidence that the issue can be controlled through comprehensive enforcement and public education.
Customs also cracked multiple precious metal smuggling cases last year, seizing 393 kilograms of smuggled gold valued at HK$320 million. When asked about the trend of gold smuggling cases given the continuous rise in gold prices, Chan Tsz-dat said:
Additionally, Customs signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Taobao Tmall Hong Kong Station yesterday, marking the first cooperation agreement between Customs and an e-commerce platform. Chan Tsz-dat said that e-commerce platform retail occupies an increasingly large market share. Through cooperation, Hong Kong-prohibited products can be pre-screened, or products with safety concerns can be removed from shelves earlier, better protecting consumers’ rights. He stated that Customs will actively discuss with other major e-commerce platforms, including mainland and international ones, and is confident that more similar agreements will be signed within this year.