Customs seize HK$52m in fake goods amid sports fever

Hong Kong Customs have arrested nine people and seized more than 68,000 suspected counterfeit sports equipment valued at over HK$52 million, amid a sports fever that saw plenty of Copa America and European Championship action, and the Paris Olympics closing in.

Most of the confiscated items were intended for export to Europe and the Middle East, with only a small number reserved for local sales, said Customs.

A Customs spokesman said the suspected fakes are extremely close in appearance to the genuine ones, yet the material used on the jerseys are less breathable, with the tags on the fakes poorly printed.

Customs said two arrests were made on June 22 in a Yuen Long raid, with officers seizing some 1,000 suspected counterfeit sports equipment valued at HK$700,000.

The spokesman said the shops ran their businesses both online and offline, claiming the goods were from overseas with a lower retail price. The counterfeit goods were sold at a discount of up to 50 percent from the authentic ones, the spokesman added.

Officers also raided over 60 logistics companies located in Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, Lau Fau Shan, Kwai Tsing, and Kowloon Bay. Of which, 67,000 counterfeit sports equipment were seized at the River Trade Terminal in Tuen Mun, with the haul valued at over HK$51 million.

A woman was arrested for arranging the shipment, said the spokesman.

Meanwhile, Customs also conducted an enforcement operation on June 12 to combat infringement activities involving unauthorized communication of copyright works to the public.

About 130 suspected illicit streaming devices and a batch of electronic equipment, with an estimated market value of about HK$230,000, were involved in the cases.

Four men aged between 32 and 48 were arrested during the operation, including three shop owners and a salesperson.
 

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