​Hong Kong Customs on August 5 seized about 7 100 suspected smuggled counterfeit goods with a total estimated market value of about $1.7 million at the Kwai Chung Container Terminals.
Through risk assessment, Customs on that day inspected a 40-foot container, declared as carrying straws and arriving in Hong Kong from Nansha, Guangdong, for re-exporting to Chile. Upon inspection, Customs officers seized the batch of suspected smuggled counterfeit goods including footwear, handbags and wallets 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 counterfeiting and smuggling activities.
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 found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum 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, August 23, 2023
