Hong Kong Customs conducted a one-month joint operation with Mainland and Macao Customs from November 17 to December 16 to combat cross-boundary counterfeiting activities among the three places and with goods destined for overseas countries. During the operation, Hong Kong Customs seized about 24 000 items of suspected counterfeit goods with an estimated market value of about $1.8 million.
The three Customs administrations have stepped up inspection of goods across the three places and destined for North America, Europe and Japan during the operation to effectively curb cross-boundary counterfeit goods transshipment activities. The suspected counterfeit goods seized by Hong Kong Customs included mobile phone accessories, clothes, pharmaceutical products, ornaments, leather products, footwear, watches and dining utensils.
This was the third joint operation conducted by the three Customs administrations this year. Hong Kong Customs has seized about 81 000 items of suspected counterfeit goods with an estimated market value of about $7.9 million in the three operations.
Hong Kong Customs will continue to work closely with Mainland Customs, Macao Customs and overseas law enforcement agencies to combat cross-boundary counterfeit goods transshipment activities vigorously through intelligence exchanges and joint enforcement actions.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who imports or exports any goods to which a forged trademark is applied commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Ends/Tuesday, December 21, 2021
