Hong Kong Customs seized about 55 000 items of suspected counterfeit and smuggled goods with an estimated market value of about $5.6 million at Man Kam To Control Point on October 26. This is the largest counterfeit goods smuggling case detected by Customs at land boundary control points in the past three years.
Through risk assessment, Customs officers intercepted an incoming container truck declared as carrying e-commerce goods at Man Kam To Control Point on that day. The batch of suspected counterfeit and smuggled goods, including glasses, shoes, handbags, clothing and accessories, were found inside the container. A 62-year-old male driver was then arrested.
The case is the largest counterfeit goods smuggling case detected by Hong Kong Customs at land boundary control points since 2017. An investigation is ongoing and the arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation.
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.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Customs will continue to combat cross-border counterfeiting activities through strategies of risk-profiling and intelligence analysis.
Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting and smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Ends/Wednesday, October 30, 2019
