Hong Kong Customs conducted an operation on June 5 to combat the sale of counterfeit electric power tools online. During the operation, 93 items of suspected counterfeit electric power tools, including cordless driver drills, dedicated batteries and electric saws, were seized with an estimated market value of about $60,000. One man was arrested.
Customs earlier received information from a trademark owner alleging that suspected counterfeit dedicated batteries for electric power tools were offered for sale through an online platform.
After an in-depth investigation with the assistance of the trademark owner, Customs officers took action on June 5 and arranged a test purchase with the seller in Tsuen Wan. Seven suspected counterfeit dedicated batteries for electric power tools and a suspected counterfeit driver drill were seized. A 23-year-old man was arrested.
Customs officers further seized a batch of suspected counterfeit electric power tools including cordless driver drills, dedicated batteries and electric saws at a residential unit of the arrested man in Tsuen Wan.
As compared with the genuine products, the suspected counterfeit dedicated batteries seized in the case were found to show a different place of manufacture. Also, no lot numbers were shown.
Investigation is ongoing.
Customs reminds consumers to purchase goods at reputable shops and avoid conducting transactions at suspicious websites. They should check with the trademark owners or authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a 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 infringement activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Ends/Monday, June 8, 2020
