Criminal Offence for Unlawfully Importing or Possessing Tobacco Products
Customs and Other Legislation Amendment (Illicit Tobacco Enforcement Modernisation and Other Measures) Bill 2026
1st House
2nd House
Law
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
People face up to 5 years in prison for possessing tobacco products suspected of being imported unlawfully.
People face up to 5 years in prison for importing tobacco products if they breach the conditions of their import permit.
People face up to 5 years in prison for importing tobacco products without a required permit.
Tobacco products seized for these offences are automatically forfeited to the Crown; owners cannot claim them back.
Cigarettes are presumed to be tobacco products unless the defendant proves otherwise.
Magistrates can order the production of property-tracking documents even if other legal proceedings have already started.