Chinese national, 52, jailed for not paying S$200,700 fine after dealing in duty-unpaid liquor

A 52-year-old Chinese national man will be jailed for two months and one week as an in-default sentence because he failed to pay a S$200,700 fine for dealing in duty-unpaid liquor.

According to a Singapore Customs media release, Huang Hongjiang was convicted in the State Courts on Dec. 23, 2025.

He had previously pleaded guilty to two charges under the Customs Act, where the offences resulted in the evasion of about S$25,499 in duty and Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Operation

This comes after Singapore Customs officers observed Huang entering an industrial building at Tuas View Square to collect a shipment during a Dec. 11, 2025 operation.

After officers checked and discovered 186 bottles of duty-unpaid liquor, Huang was arrested at the scene and the duty-unpaid liquor was seized.

Investigations revealed that Huang conspired with a friend in China to sell Chinese liquor in Singapore.

His accomplice procured the liquor in China and arranged for its import into Singapore without payment of duty and GST, while Huang would handle the delivery in Singapore.

Huang was at Tuas View Square to collect the consignment for onward delivery when he was intercepted by officers.

Penalties

The release noted that under the Customs Act and the GST Act, buying, selling, conveying, delivering, storing, keeping, possessing or dealing in duty-unpaid liquor are serious offences.

Offenders are liable to a fine of up to 20 times the amount of duty and GST evaded and/or up to two years' jail.

Members of public with information on smuggling activities or duty or GST evasion can report it to Customs at https://go.gov.sg/reportcustomsoffence.

Top photos via Singapore Customs media release