Hong Kong Customs Seizes $2 Million in Counterfeit Goods, Arrests One in Major Operation

Hong Kong Customs combats online sale of counterfeit goods

Hong Kong Customs conducted an enforcement operation on November 5 to combat the online sale of counterfeit goods, and seized about 15 000 suspected counterfeit items with an estimated market value of about $2 million. One person was arrested.

Customs earlier received information alleging that suspected counterfeit goods were put on sale through an online shop on a social media platform. Later, Customs officers posed as customers and conducted a test purchase. After an in-depth investigation and with the assistance of trademark owners, Customs officers on November 5 raided an office and storage of the online shop located in Yuen Long. A batch of suspected counterfeit goods, including clothing and skincare products, was seized.

During the operation, Customs arrested a 48-year-old woman suspected to be connected with the case. She has been released on bail pending further investigation. The investigation is ongoing.

Customs will continue to step up inspections and enforcement to vigorously combat the sale of different kinds of counterfeit goods.

Customs reminds consumers to procure goods at reputable shops or websites and to check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt. Traders should also be cautious in merchandising since the sale of counterfeit goods is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions.

Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting 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).

Health Bureau responds to commencement of recruitment of Chief Executive by Hospital Authority

In respect of the Hospital Authority (HA) initiating the process to recruit a Chief Executive to succeed Dr Tony Ko, who has indicated that he will not seek continued employment after the term of his contract ends in July this year, the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, expressed today (January 23) his high recognition of and gratitude to Dr Ko for his contributions to the public healthcare system.

Professor Lo said, "I deeply appreciate the contributions made by Dr Tony Ko to the development of the public healthcare system over the past six years in his capacity as the Chief Executive of the HA. During this period, the HA faced numerous major challenges, especially the COVID-19 epidemic, which put tremendous and unprecedented pressure on the public healthcare system. Dr Ko did his utmost to lead the HA in its response to the challenges brought about by every wave of the epidemic, guiding staff of the HA to serve the community in concerted efforts. His work is highly commendable.

"Dr Ko has also stepped up efforts to enhance the management and efficiency of the public healthcare system, raising the quality, safety and effectiveness of the HA's services, and has supported multiple government policies and explored more collaboration opportunities in healthcare with the Mainland and the rest of the world while improving services so that Hong Kong can give better play to its unique role and contribute to the healthcare development of the country. Dr Ko has made great contributions to the public healthcare system. I wish him every success in his future endeavours after leaving the post of Chief Executive of the HA."