Customs officers at the Hong Kong International Airport seized over $3 million worth of unmanifested and counterfeit goods while examining export consignments and parcels in the past two weeks.
Customs officers of the Air Cargo (Export) Division searched three export consignments to Calcutta, declared to be containing metal machine parts on March 11. They seized 3,900 unmanifested mobile phones, valued at $3 million.
While examining 16 air parcels destined for Japan on March 4, 10, 11 and 12 respectively, Customs officers at the Air Mail Centre seized 426 pieces of counterfeit goods, worth about $68,000. The seizure included counterfeit handbags, wallets, shoes, T-shirts, watches and ballpens.
A spokesman for the Customs and Excise Department said today (March 13) "Investigations are continuing. No arrest has been made."
The spokesman warned the public that it is an offence to export unmanifested and counterfeit goods.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, the maximum penalty for exporting unmanifested goods is a fine of $2 million and seven years' imprisonment.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, it is an offence to export goods to which a forged trademark is applied. The maximum penalty is a fine of $500,000 and five years' imprisonment.
Ends/Saturday, March 13, 2004