Less duty-free cigarette allowed to enter Macao

Passengers are allowed to bring less duty-free cigarette when they entre Macao, according to the Chief Executive’s despatch which will be effective from next Tuesday (14 July). According to the despatch, passengers are permitted to bring in 19 cigarettes, or 1 cigar or 25 grams of other manufactured tobacco, for one’s personal consumption. This is in bids to prevent importation of dutiable tobacco, especially following the increase of cigarette tax. The legislature approved on 9 July the amendment bill on consumption tax: Cigarette tax would be raised to more than 70 per cent of the retail price, which was in line with the suggestion of the World Health Organization. This change was to further accommodate to the work on smoking control under the New Regime of Tobacco Prevention and Control. The Macao Customs Services and the Economic Services would act closely to stop any unlawful trade of tobacco in Macao. Details of the Despatch will be published on the Official Gazette on 13 July.