Hong Kong Customs in the past two weeks (January 3 to 16) conducted an operation codenamed "Tracer IV" to combat cross-boundary transshipments and local sales of counterfeit goods, and seized a total of about 90 000 items of suspected counterfeit goods with an estimated market value of about $40 million. Four persons were arrested.
During the operation, Customs officers through intelligence analysis first identified and raided about 30 logistics companies in Yuen Long, Tsing Yi, Tuen Mun and Kwai Chung. A large batch of suspected counterfeit goods, including watches, mobile phone accessories, branded accessories and sunglasses were seized.
After follow-up investigations, Customs believed that some of the suspected counterfeit goods would be sold locally while the rest would be re-exported to overseas destinations, and thus organised two controlled delivery operations on January 11. First, Customs officers arrested a 25-year-old male consignee and a 25-year-old female consignment owner in a residential unit in Tin Shui Wai. Upon investigation, about 60 items of suspected counterfeit clothing were further seized in a mini storage unit rented by the female consignment owner in Tuen Mun.
On the same day, Customs officers raided an industrial building unit in Kwun Tong. About 400 items of suspected counterfeit sports shoes and clothing were seized. A 29-year-old female consignee and a 48-year-old female were arrested.
An investigation is ongoing and the four arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigation.
Customs appeals to consumers to purchase goods at reputable shops or websites and to check with the trademark owners or authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt.
Customs also reminds traders and online sellers not to sell counterfeit goods and to be cautious and prudent in merchandising since selling counterfeit goods is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions.
With the Lunar New Year around the corner, Customs will continue to step up inspections and enforcement to vigorously combat different types of counterfeit goods activities before and during the holiday.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who imports or exports or sells or possesses for sale 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).
