​Hong Kong Customs on June 27 seized about 900 suspected counterfeit goods, about 1 300 suspected smuggled nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes, and about 6 100 suspected smuggled electronic cigarette accessories, with a total estimated market value of about $1 million, at the Tuen Mun River Trade Terminal Customs Cargo Examination Compound.
Through risk assessment, Customs on that day inspected a 40-foot container arriving in Hong Kong from Nansha, Guangdong, destined for Italy. Upon inspection, Customs officers seized the batch of suspected counterfeit goods, including footwear, clothing, bags and sunglasses, and the batch of suspected smuggled nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes and accessories therein.
An investigation is ongoing.
Customs will continue to strengthen co-operation with the Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies and take stringent enforcement action against cross-boundary counterfeit goods and smuggling activities involving alternative smoking products.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who imports or exports any goods to which a forged trade mark 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 who imports an alternative smoking product, including electronic cigarette products, heated tobacco products, herbal cigarettes and any related devices, parts and accessories, commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting and suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).
Ends/Wednesday, July 12, 2023
