Operation Goalkeeper World Cup against Counterfelt Goods
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In a sting to thwart criminal attempts to sell 2018 FIFA World Cup fakes, Hong Kong Customs’ Operation Goalkeeper has so far resulted in about $15.3 million worth of suspect merchandise being seized, plus five arrests.
Aimed at preventing such items crossing the border, Operation Goalkeeper launched at the end of April with a focus on finding infringing items being trafficked through passenger and cargo channels at airport, seaport, land boundary and railway control points on the eve of the matches.
Launched at the end of April 30, the sting has so far resulted in about 259,000 pieces of suspect items in 21 cases being seized.
Items include about 180,000 pieces of apparel and accessories, 50,000 pairs of shoes and 29,000 bags. There are also about 57,000 suspected counterfeit jerseys, including 50,000 pieces bearing suspected forged FIFA trademarks.
The items were seized from 12 seaborne containers, four goods vehicles and a batch of air parcels.
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 is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Operation goalkeeper continues.
Questions & Answers
Q.What kind of items were most frequently seized during Operation Goalkeeper?
What kind of items were most frequently seized during Operation Goalkeeper?
The most frequently seized items were apparel and accessories, accounting for about 180,000 pieces. This was followed by 50,000 pairs of shoes and 29,000 bags.
Q.What is the maximum penalty for importing or exporting goods with a forged trademark in Hong Kong?
What is the maximum penalty for importing or exporting goods with a forged trademark in Hong Kong?
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, the maximum penalty is a fine of $500,000. Also, offenders can face imprisonment for up to five years for such an offence.
Q.How were the counterfeit items being transported when they were seized?
How were the counterfeit items being transported when they were seized?
The counterfeit items were seized from various transport channels, specifically 12 seaborne containers, four goods vehicles, and a batch of air parcels. These were found through passenger and cargo channels.
Q.When did Operation Goalkeeper begin and what was its primary objective?
When did Operation Goalkeeper begin and what was its primary objective?
Operation Goalkeeper launched at the end of April, specifically April 30. Its primary objective was to prevent infringing items from crossing the border, targeting fakes of 2018 FIFA World Cup merchandise.
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