What Changed
- West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts sentenced two individuals to seven and five months' imprisonment for importing 40,000 and 33,000 alternative smoking products from Japan.
- The Department of Health reported 32 prosecutions and 35 convictions involving large-quantity ASP importations since September 19, 2025.
- Authorities reiterated maximum statutory penalties under Cap. 60 and Cap. 371 for importing, selling, or commercially possessing alternative smoking products.
Travelers, international visitors, importers, and commercial operators transporting goods into Hong Kong SAR face strict legal enforcement and severe criminal penalties for bringing alternative smoking products (ASPs) into the territory. On October 14, 2026, the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts sentenced a woman to seven months' imprisonment and a man to five months' imprisonment for illegally importing ASPs.
The prosecution followed an operation on October 13, 2026, when Hong Kong Customs intercepted 40,000 and 33,000 ASPs in the luggage of the two individuals arriving from Japan. Customs notified the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health (DH), whose inspectors immediately arrested and prosecuted both offenders.
This judgment reflects enhanced enforcement powers under the Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, which took effect on September 19, 2025, granting arrest authority directly to TACO inspectors. Since that date, TACO has prosecuted 32 cases involving large-scale illegal importation of ASPs, resulting in the conviction of 35 individuals with prison sentences ranging from four weeks to eight months.
Hong Kong legislation imposes stringent statutory penalties on ASP-related activities:
- Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60): Illegal importation of ASPs—including electronic smoking products, heated tobacco products, and herbal cigarettes—is punishable on summary conviction by a fine of $500,000 and two years' imprisonment. Conviction on indictment carries a fine of up to $2 million and seven years' imprisonment.
- Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371): Promoting, manufacturing, selling, or possessing ASPs for commercial purposes is illegal and subject to a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.
The Department of Health welcomed the court's verdict and reminded members of the public, visitors, and commercial entities that importing or using alternative smoking products in Hong Kong is strictly illegal. TACO confirmed it will maintain rigorous cross-agency enforcement with Customs to combat illicit ASP importation.
Who May Be Affected
Travelers, visitors, commercial carriers, logistics businesses, and importers entering Hong Kong SAR.
Cross-Border Context
Cross-border passenger transport of e-cigarettes and alternative smoking products from overseas destinations (such as Japan) into Hong Kong SAR trigger immediate interception, arrest, and prosecution by Hong Kong Customs and TACO.
What to check next
- Monitor statutory updates and ongoing law enforcement figures published by the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) and Hong Kong Customs.
This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Consult the official text and obtain advice appropriate to your circumstances where needed.