Under the Dutiable Commodities (Exempted Quantities) (Amendment) Notice 2010, an incoming passenger aged 18 or above could only bring into Hong Kong for his/her own use no more than the following quantities of tobacco products:

(i) 19 cigarettes; or
(ii) one cigar or 25 grams of cigars; or
(iii) 25 grams of other manufactured tobacco.

Incoming passengers bringing in tobacco products in excess of the above exempted quantities should enter the Red Channel to make a declaration to Customs officers. Failure to do so will render the passenger liable to prosecution.

Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, an incoming passenger who fails to declare or makes a false or incomplete declaration to a Customs officer on the excessive quantity of dutiable goods in his/her possession commits an offence.

The Customs and Excise Department will step up checks on incoming passengers at various control points to prevent abuse of the new measure. The maximum penalty under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance will be a fine of HK$1 million (about USD 129,000) and imprisonment for two years.

The new measure aims at protecting public health by containing tobacco use and encouraging smokers to quit smoking. The public and incoming passengers need to comply with the new law and co-operate with Customs officers when undergoing Customs clearance at the control points.