Hong Kong customs seizes 600 million illicit cigarettes in first 9 months of 2026
Commissioner Chan Tsz-tat says haul nearly matches 2025 annual total while revealing plans for more advanced contraband detection equipment
Hong Kong customs officers seized 600 million illicit cigarette sticks in the first three quarters of this year, the department chief has said as he revealed plans to roll out more advanced contraband detection equipment at additional border checkpoints to ease manpower pressure.
Commissioner of Customs and Excise Chan Tsz-tat told a radio programme on Saturday that the seizure amount in the first nine months this year nearly matched the 2025 annual total.
He said that of the 600 million sticks seized, 200 million were destined for other locations but were intercepted in Hong Kong after customs received intelligence.
