Hong Kong Customs seized 600 million illicit cigarette sticks from January through September 2026, nearly matching the total seized in all of 2025, Commissioner of Customs and Excise Chan Tsz-tat said. Of the total, 200 million sticks destined for other locations were intercepted following intelligence received by customs. Authorities recorded about 18,000 illicit cigarette cases during the first nine months, including approximately 16,000 involving passengers who failed to declare carrying more than 19 cigarettes. Chan also said the department plans to introduce more advanced contraband detection equipment.
