Hong Kong Customs combats counterfeit goods activities and seizes suspected counterfeit and smuggled goods worth over $17 million ahead of Christmas
Hong Kong Customs conducted a two-week enforcement operation codenamed "Santa Guardian" from December 9 to 20 to combat counterfeit goods activities involving cross-boundary transshipments with the approach of Christmas. During the operation, Customs detected 10 related cases and seized about 43 000 suspected counterfeit and smuggled goods with an estimated market value of over $17 million. One person involved in the cases was arrested.
Customs discovered that criminals intended to ship counterfeit goods and unmanifested cargo abroad via Hong Kong to meet the huge shopping demand with the approach of Christmas. As such, through risk assessment, Customs inspected three containers at the Tuen Mun River Trade Terminal Customs Cargo Examination Compound and one incoming lorry at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port Inbound Cargo Examination Building. After inspection, Customs officers seized a total of about 35 000 suspected counterfeit and smuggled goods with a total estimated market value of about $11 million.
Moreover, through intelligence analysis and detailed investigations, six related cases were uncovered in a number of local logistics companies. In the operation, Customs officers mounted strike-and-search actions against six logistics companies in Kwai Chung and Tsing Yi, seizing about 7 400 suspected counterfeit goods, including watches, mobile phones, footwear and clothing, with a total estimated market value of about $6 million.
Investigations into the above-mentioned cases are ongoing. One person involved in the cases was arrested, and he has been released on bail pending further investigation.
Customs appeals to consumers to purchase goods from reputable shops or websites and to check with trademark or copyright owners, or authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt to avoid buying counterfeit or infringing goods.
Customs will continue to step up inspections and conduct intelligence-led enforcement to vigorously combat counterfeit and infringing goods activities at different levels.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who imports or exports, or sells or possesses for sale any goods to which a forged trademark is applied, commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.
Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting or infringing activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Hong Kong Customs combats counterfeit goods activities and seizes suspected counterfeit and smuggled goods worth over $17 million ahead of Christmas Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
"Immersive Hong Kong" roving exhibition in Dubai fostering mutual relations and exchanges
The "Immersive Hong Kong" roving exhibition is now being held in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), by the Information Services Department (ISD) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) in collaboration with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai (Dubai ETO) to promote business and cultural relations and exchanges between the two places.
"Since the establishment of the Dubai ETO in 2021, we have witnessed ever closer ties between Hong Kong and the Middle East, with the Chief Executive and various Principal Officials from the HKSARG having visited the Middle East to strengthen bilateral ties and explore opportunities for collaboration on all fronts. We will continue to engage stakeholders in the Gulf Cooperation Council for deepening relations and telling the good stories of Hong Kong in the region," said the Director-General of the Dubai ETO, Mr Damian Lee.
"In this regard, we have brought the 'Immersive Hong Kong' exhibition to Dubai to introduce to the cosmopolitan population here the wonderful and exciting facets of Hong Kong," he added.
The Minister of State for Foreign Trade of the UAE, His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, who visited the exhibition today (December 24) at the invitation of the Dubai ETO, said the exhibition provides an important platform for the people of the UAE to explore the potential of Hong Kong across tourism, business and investment sectors.
Highlighting the city's distinctive role as a gateway to Mainland China, he emphasised that strengthening investment and trade partnerships with Hong Kong plays a key role in supporting broader strategic co-operation between the UAE and China, whilst helping to unlock new business opportunities between the Emirati-Chinese business communities.
The Consul General of the UAE in Hong Kong, His Excellency Shaikh Saoud Ali M. A. Almualla, who earlier visited the exhibition, also noted the huge potential for closer bilateral ties.
"There are many similarities between the UAE and Hong Kong, such as economic ambition, cultural inclusivity, and a vision of continued growth and global collaboration. Both places offer a thriving environment for business and personal development, making them ideal partners in fostering deeper trade and investment ties across regions," he said.
Themed "Hong Kong - Where the World Looks Ahead", the "Immersive Hong Kong" roving exhibition is part of the ISD's external promotional campaign to showcase the city's new attractions, advantages and opportunities. It is now on display at The Beach, Jumeirah Beach Residence, until January 5, 2025. Admission is free.
More information on the exhibition is available on the dedicated page of the Brand Hong Kong website (www.brandhk.gov.hk/en/campaign/hkpromotion-middle-east) as well as the website of the Dubai ETO (www.hketodubai.gov.hk/en/index.html).
"Immersive Hong Kong" roving exhibition in Dubai fostering mutual relations and exchanges Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
"Immersive Hong Kong" roving exhibition in Dubai fostering mutual relations and exchanges Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
"Immersive Hong Kong" roving exhibition in Dubai fostering mutual relations and exchanges Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
"Immersive Hong Kong" roving exhibition in Dubai fostering mutual relations and exchanges Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
"Immersive Hong Kong" roving exhibition in Dubai fostering mutual relations and exchanges Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
