Hong Kong Customs on June 20 conducted a special operation in Sham Shui Po and Cheung Sha Wan to combat the sale of counterfeit goods and seized about 10 000 items of suspected counterfeit goods with an estimated market value of about $1.2 million.
Customs earlier conducted patrols and discovered a mobile hawker stall selling suspected counterfeit goods in Sham Shui Po. After an in-depth investigation and with the assistance of trademark owners, Customs officers took enforcement action on June 20 and raided the mobile hawker stall in Sham Shui Po as well as its storage place in Cheung Sha Wan. A batch of suspected counterfeit goods, including sports T-shirts, sports pants and sports jackets, was seized.
During the operation, two men aged 57 and 65 suspected to be connected with the case were arrested. They have been released on bail pending further investigation.
Customs will continue to step up inspection and enforcement to vigorously combat the sale of different kinds of counterfeit goods.
Customs reminds consumers to procure goods at reputable shops and to check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt. Traders should also be cautious and prudent in merchandising since the sale of counterfeit goods is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark 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 infringing activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Ends/Friday, June 23, 2023
