Hong Kong Customs conducted a three-week joint operation with Mainland and Macao Customs from April 20 to May 10 to combat cross-boundary counterfeiting activities among the three places, and with goods destined for North American countries. During the operation, Hong Kong Customs seized about 10 000 items of suspected counterfeit goods with an estimated market value of about $1.5 million.
The three Customs administrations stepped up inspections of goods across the three places and destined for North American countries during the operation to effectively curb cross-boundary counterfeit goods transshipping activities. The suspected counterfeit goods seized by Hong Kong Customs included leather products, clothes, footwear, mobile phones and accessories.
Hong Kong Customs will continue to work closely with Mainland Customs, Macao Customs and overseas law enforcement agencies to combat cross-boundary counterfeit goods transshipping activities vigorously through intelligence exchanges and joint enforcement actions.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who imports or exports any goods with any 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 counterfeiting activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Ends/Friday, May 8, 2020
