Hong Kong Lights Up Optical Defence Against Illicit Tobacco

Hong Kong Customs has started a three-month pilot scheme under the new duty stamp system to tackle illicit tobacco sales and ensure tax compliance.

The initiative, which began on 6 October, introduces holographic labels – referred to as trial duty stamps – on duty-paid cigarette packs to distinguish legitimate products from untaxed ones.

Launched in two versions, the labels are rectangular and feature a QR code, a unique serial code, and a holographic security feature that helps distinguish them from counterfeits.

The green label is placed on the top right corner of retail packs, while the blue label covers the top front panel of imported packs.

About the pilot

The new scheme comes amid a sharp rise in the sale of illicit cigarettes following multiple duty hikes. Customs seized 200 million sticks worth HK$1 billion (US$128 million) in the first five months of 2025 – a 425% increase from the same period last year.