Customs seizes $44m in counterfeit goods in major cross-border operation

In a significant crackdown on counterfeit goods trafficking, Hong Kong Customs has confiscated nearly 67,000 fake luxury items valued at approximately HK$44 million. 

This action was part of a coordinated two-week operation, from July 18 to 31, involving authorities from mainland China and Macau.

The operation aimed to disrupt sophisticated smuggling networks that transport counterfeit goods through Hong Kong, Macau, and mainland China, with many of the shipments destined for the U.S., Europe, and countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

During the crackdown, customs officers made several key breakthroughs. They uncovered 19 separate cases of counterfeit goods at various express delivery and logistics companies based in Hong Kong. 

A significant find occurred at the Tuen Mun River Trade Terminal, where inspectors discovered a 40-foot shipping container filled with counterfeit items ready for transshipment.

The operation also extended to major border crossings, including the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the Shenzhen Bay Control Point. 

Here, officers detected five additional cases involving counterfeit merchandise being transported by incoming trucks. 

This led to the arrest of five male drivers, aged between 53 and 69, who have since been released on bail pending further investigations.

A spokesperson for Customs highlighted the importance of such coordinated efforts, stating that the operation underscores their commitment to protecting intellectual property rights and maintaining fair trade practices through close collaboration with regional partners.

The seized items included convincing replicas of high-end watches, designer handbags, sports apparel, and footwear, all bearing forged trademarks. 

Under Hong Kong's Trade Descriptions Ordinance, those convicted of importing or exporting counterfeit goods could face severe penalties, including fines up to HK$500,000 and five years of imprisonment.