Hong Kong customs seizes 600 million illicit cigarettes in first 9 months of 2026

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Hong Kong customs seized 600 million illicit cigarette sticks during the first nine months of 2026, nearly matching the total seized throughout 2025. The department plans to add advanced contraband-detection equipment at more border checkpoints to help ease staffing pressure.

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...