Threat of prison lifted from those entering Taiwan with too many cigarettes

People carrying more than the permitted amount of cigarettes and alcohol when they fly into Taiwan no longer face the possibility of a prison sentence, according to a story in the Taiwanese edition of The China Post.

They are however liable to face a fine and to have the excess quantities confiscated.

The Post quoted the case of the man who had the honor to be the first person to have the new rule book thrown at him.

The man, known only as Tseng, arrived with 16 cartons of cigarettes, but ended up with only one carton and a NT7,500 fine (NT500 for each carton in excess of the limit of one carton).