As Christmas nears, Hong Kong Customs has intensified efforts to curb cross-border smuggling of counterfeit items, confiscating goods worth about HK$36 million this month.
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In a two-week operation between December 8 and 19, the officers uncovered 27 cases involving the shipment of counterfeit luxury goods, seizing approximately 83,000 items, which included fake Cartier watches, Chanel handbags, football jerseys, and sneakers.
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Preliminary investigations show the fakes were destined for overseas markets in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Notably, some higher-quality fake items were shipped directly from Hong Kong to Europe, Australia, and the United States, indicating that criminals planned to blend them with authentic products for sale during the peak Christmas shopping period.
In certain cases, fake goods were sent with packaging materials to the Middle East and Africa, likely for repackaging before being redirected to higher-value markets for greater profit.
Additionally, shipments targeted less common destinations in South America and Central Africa, indicating criminals might exploit the holiday logistics rush to enter new markets.
The operation also led to the arrest of a 55-year-old male truck driver at the Hong Kong Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge for transporting counterfeit goods in an incoming lorry.
Authorities warned that criminals may exploit the high volume of festive shipments as cover to transport counterfeit goods through Hong Kong and evade detection.
Customs called on the local industry to stay alert for suspicious consignments and report any suspected counterfeit or infringing products.
