Hong Kong Customs seized 191 cartons of suspected counterfeit goods with an estimated market value of about $1.7 million at Man Kam To Control Point on March 11. This is the third case of importing suspected counterfeit goods by land detected by Customs during the four days from March 8 to 11.
Through risk assessment, Customs officers intercepted an incoming container truck at Man Kam To Control Point on March 11. The batch of suspected counterfeit goods, including watches, glasses, mobile phones accessories, shoes and vehicle parts were found inside the container. The 40-year-old male driver was then arrested.
After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday (March 12) arrested a 66-year-old man suspected to be involved in the case in Tsim Sha Tsui. More than 300 items of suspected counterfeit goods, including watches and glasses, worth about $200,000 were further seized at a premise in the district. An investigation is ongoing.
Including this case, Customs has detected three cases of importing suspected counterfeit goods by land from March 8 to 11, with a seizure value amount of $3.3 million in total.
Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment strategy to select cross border goods vehicles for clearance to intercept cross border counterfeits and other contrabands.
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).
Ends/Friday, March 13, 2020
