Hong Kong Customs Seizes $1.3 Million in Counterfeit Goods During Recent Operations

Hong Kong Customs steps up enforcement action against counterfeit goods activities with approach of National Day Golden Week of Mainland

Hong Kong Customs mounted a special enforcement operation in Sha Tau Kok and Mong Kok between September 22 and today (September 30) to combat the sale of counterfeit goods, and seized about 2 000 items of suspected counterfeit goods with an estimated market value of about $1.3 million.

Customs earlier conducted patrols at popular shopping spots and discovered some traders selling suspected counterfeit goods in Sha Tau Kok and Mong Kok. After investigations, Customs officers took enforcement action during the abovementioned period and raided a retail shop on Chung Ying Street, Sha Tau Kok, and 13 fixed-pitch hawker stalls on Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok. A batch of suspected counterfeit goods, including handbags, leather goods and accessories, was seized.

During the operation, Customs arrested a 40 years old woman. An investigation is ongoing.

With the National Day Golden Week of the Mainlandapproaching, Customs will continue to step up inspection and enforcement actions to vigorously combat different kinds of counterfeit goods activities in order to safeguard local consumers and visitors' rights.

Customs appeals to local consumers and visitors to purchase goods at reputable shops and to check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt. Customs also reminds traders not to sell counterfeit goods and to be cautious and prudent in merchandising since selling 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).

Hong Kong Customs steps up enforcement action against counterfeit goods activities with approach of National Day Golden Week of Mainland Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs steps up enforcement action against counterfeit goods activities with approach of National Day Golden Week of Mainland Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Government welcomes publication of annual report of Process Review Panel for the Securities and Futures Commission

The Government today (December 31) welcomed the publication of the annual report of the Process Review Panel for the Securities and Futures Commission (PRP) which covers the work of the PRP in 2024-25.

A spokesman for the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau said, "The PRP has conducted a comprehensive review of the internal processes and operational procedures of the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC). Through reviewing selected cases concerning enforcement, licensing, supervision of intermediaries and complaint handling, etc, the PRP has made a number of comprehensive and constructive observations and recommendations which are conducive to the fair and consistent exercise of regulatory powers by the SFC. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the PRP Chairman, Ms Miranda Kwok, and the PRP members for their diligent efforts in enhancing the transparency and accountability of the SFC."

The PRP is an independent panel established by the Chief Executive to review and advise the SFC on the adequacy of the SFC's internal procedures and operational guidelines, and to determine whether the SFC has followed its internal procedures for ensuring fairness and consistency.

The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), Photo source: reference image