24th December 2024 – (Hong Kong) Hong Kong Customs has successfully concluded a two-week enforcement operation, codenamed “Santa Guardian,” aimed at curbing counterfeit goods activities in anticipation of the Christmas shopping season. Running from 9th to 20th December, the operation resulted in the detection of 10 related cases and the seizure of approximately 43,000 suspected counterfeit and smuggled items, valued at over HK$17 million.
Customs officials discovered that criminals were attempting to exploit the festive shopping demand by shipping counterfeit goods and unmanifested cargo abroad via Hong Kong. In response, Customs conducted risk assessments and inspected three containers at the Tuen Mun River Trade Terminal and one incoming lorry at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port. These inspections yielded around 35,000 suspected counterfeit and smuggled goods, collectively estimated to be worth about $11 million.
Additionally, through meticulous intelligence analysis, Customs uncovered six related cases linked to various local logistics companies. Officers executed strike-and-search operations at six logistics firms in Kwai Chung and Tsing Yi, seizing approximately 7,400 counterfeit items, including watches, mobile phones, footwear, and clothing, valued at around $6 million.
One individual connected to these cases has been arrested and subsequently released on bail as investigations continue.
Customs officials are urging consumers to purchase from reputable retailers and to verify the authenticity of products by consulting trademark or copyright owners if there are any doubts. They reaffirm their commitment to intensifying inspections and conducting intelligence-led operations to combat the trade in counterfeit and infringing goods.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, importing, exporting, selling, or possessing goods with a forged trademark constitutes an offence, punishable by a fine of up to $500,000 and five years’ imprisonment. Similarly, violations of the Import and Export Ordinance concerning unmanifested cargo can lead to penalties of up to $2 million and seven years’ imprisonment.
