Beijing Customs Launches "Green Sword" Operation Against Tobacco Smuggling

According to a report from China News on May 6th, the Beijing Customs Anti-Smuggling Bureau, in collaboration with the Beijing Municipal Tobacco Monopoly Bureau, launched the "Green Sword" special operation in April to target tobacco smuggling activities. It is reported that in the first 8 days after the start of the special operation, two major tobacco smuggling cases were successfully uncovered, leading to the arrest of 4 suspects and the seizure of a total of 137,000 cigarettes and cigars, with an estimated value of approximately 9.9 million yuan.

According to reports, the suspects mainly use postal channels to illegally smuggle tobacco and cigars into the country, and then sell them for profit domestically. In response to the increasing trend of tobacco smuggling, Beijing Customs Anti-Smuggling Bureau has established a cooperative mechanism with Beijing Tobacco Monopoly Bureau to efficiently respond and jointly combat smuggling activities.

According to the China Customs, the act of smuggling ordinary goods and items will be punished according to the severity of the circumstances, with penalties including detention, fixed-term imprisonment, life imprisonment, as well as fines or confiscation of property. In addition, according to the laws and regulations such as the "People's Republic of China Tobacco Monopoly Law," China implements a system of exclusive tobacco sales. Smuggling tobacco into the country and selling it wholesale or retail without authorization violates the country's management order for exclusive sales of authorized goods, and in serious cases, constitutes the crime of illegal operation, for which criminal responsibility will be pursued according to law.

In the next step, the Beijing Customs Anti-Smuggling Bureau will focus on cracking down on professional smuggling tobacco gangs and their behind-the-scenes organizations, further leveraging the role of cooperative mechanisms to safeguard the country's fiscal and economic security. During operations, a communication platform will be established to continue deepening joint assessments and collaborations in combating smuggling, maintaining pressure on illegal activities in tobacco smuggling, and effectively safeguarding the country's fiscal and economic security.