Customs seizes $7 million worth of fake goods
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Hong Kong Customs has seized 55,000 items of fake goods destined for the US during a three-month campaign to combat cross-border counterfeiting. The haul, some of which is shown in the accompanying photograph, included trainer, apparel, mobile phones and accessories, handbags and Beats-branded headphones.
Customs officers estimated the value of the haul to be about HK$7 million.
“Hong Kong Customs has been working closely with the US Customs and Border Protection using intelligence exchanges, and took targeted enforcement action between January and April including stepped-up inspection of suspicious express courier parcels destined for the US,” said a Customs spokesperson.
“Hong Kong Customs will continue working closely with overseas law enforcement agencies to combat cross-boundary counterfeiting activities through intelligence exchanges and joint enforcement actions.”
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who imports or exports any goods to which a forged trademark is applied commits an offense. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Questions & Answers
Q.What types of fake goods did Hong Kong Customs seize in this operation?
What types of fake goods did Hong Kong Customs seize in this operation?
The seized items included trainers, apparel, mobile phones and accessories, handbags, and Beats-branded headphones. These were part of a haul of 55,000 counterfeit items found during a three-month campaign.
Q.Which overseas agency did Hong Kong Customs collaborate with during this enforcement action?
Which overseas agency did Hong Kong Customs collaborate with during this enforcement action?
Hong Kong Customs worked closely with the US Customs and Border Protection. This collaboration involved intelligence exchanges and targeted enforcement, including inspections of suspicious parcels bound for the US.
Q.What are the potential penalties for those convicted of importing or exporting counterfeit goods in Hong Kong?
What are the potential penalties for those convicted of importing or exporting counterfeit goods in Hong Kong?
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, anyone found guilty of importing or exporting goods with a forged trademark faces a maximum fine of $500,000. They could also face imprisonment for up to five years.
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