Hong Kong Customs on July 8 seized about 5 000 items of suspected counterfeit goods with a total estimated market value of about $2.9 million at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound.
Through risk assessment and intelligence analysis, Customs on that day inspected a 40-foot container arriving in Hong Kong from Vietnam. Upon inspection, Customs officers found a batch of suspected counterfeit speakers and earphones in the container.
An initial investigation revealed that the batch of suspected counterfeit goods would be transhipped to other regions.
The investigation is ongoing.
Customs will continue to strengthen co-operation with Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies and take stringent enforcement action against cross-boundary counterfeit goods activities based on risk assessment and intelligence analysis.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who imports or exports 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) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Ends/Thursday, July 18, 2024
