Hong Kong Customs conducted a two-week enforcement operation codenamed "Tracer" from May 15 to 29 to combat counterfeit and infringing goods activities involving cross-boundary transshipments and local deliveries. During the operation, Customs detected 22 related cases and seized about 78 000 items of suspected counterfeit and infringing goods with an estimated market value of over $44 million. Three men were arrested.
Through intelligence analysis and in-depth investigation, Customs detected 20 related cases at various local logistics companies. Customs officers identified and carried out strike-and-search operations at about 30 logistics companies in Yuen Long, Tsing Yi, Tuen Mun, Kwai Chung and Tsuen Wan. About 74 000 items of suspected counterfeit goods, including watches, mobile phone accessories, handbags, clothes and footwear, with a total estimated market value of about $43.7 million, were seized.
Moreover, Customs detected two related cases at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point through risk assessment. Customs officers intercepted two incoming trucks on May 15 and 20, and seized about 900 pieces of suspected infringing blu-ray discs and about 600 items of suspected counterfeit goods with an estimated market value of about $260,000. Two male truck drivers, aged 55 and 56, were arrested.
After follow-up investigations, Customs believed that some of the suspected counterfeit and infringing goods would have been sold locally while the rest would have been re-exported to overseas destinations. Subsequently, Customs officers organised a controlled delivery operation and further seized about 2 100 pieces of suspected infringing blu-ray discs, with an estimated market value of about $87 000, at a retail shop in Mong Kok on May 16. A 57-year-old male shop proprietor was arrested.
Investigations of the above-mentioned cases are ongoing. The three arrested men 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 or copyright owners or authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt to avoid buying counterfeit or infringing goods.
Customs reminds practitioners in the logistics industry to comply with the requirements of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO) and to check with the trademark owners or authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt. The department also reminds traders or online sellers not to sell counterfeit or infringing goods and to be cautious and prudent in merchandising since selling counterfeit or infringing goods is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions.
Customs will continue to step up inspections and conduct intelligence-led enforcement to vigorously combat different types of counterfeit and infringing goods activities.
Under the TDO, 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.
Under the Copyright Ordinance, any person, who without the licence of the copyright owner of a copyright work, imports, sells or exposes for sale or hire an infringing copy of the work commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 per infringing copy and imprisonment for four years.
Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting or infringing activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Ends/Friday, June 2, 2023
