Hong Kong Customs teams up with Mainland and Macao Customs to combat cross-boundary counterfeit goods transshipment activities
Hong Kong Customs conducted an enforcement operation with the Mainland and Macao Customs from December 31, 2025 to January 12, 2026, during which inspections of goods across the three places and destined for countries in the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Southeast Asia were stepped up, with a view to combating cross-boundary and transshipment counterfeiting activities. During the operation, Hong Kong Customs detected 14 cases and seized about 19 000 suspected counterfeit goods, including handbags, footwear and electronic products, with a total estimated market value of about $14 million.
Through intelligence analysis and detailed investigations, Hong Kong Customs in the operation detected 13 related cases at a number of local express couriers and logistics companies.
Meanwhile, Customs officers detected a case at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port, seizing a batch of suspected counterfeit goods from an incoming lorry. A male lorry driver, aged 54, was arrested. An investigation is ongoing. The arrestee has been released on bail pending further investigation.
Hong Kong Customs will continue to work closely with the Mainland Customs, Macao Customs and overseas law enforcement agencies to vigorously combat cross-boundary counterfeit goods transshipping activities through intelligence exchanges and joint enforcement actions.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who imports or exports 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.
Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 80 80 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Hong Kong Customs teams up with Mainland and Macao Customs to combat cross-boundary counterfeit goods transshipment activities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Singapore ETO continues business and investment promotion in Singapore and Vietnam
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore (Singapore ETO) is continuing its efforts to promote business and investment in 2026, focusing on its two major markets, Singapore and Vietnam. In January, three technology-focused business and investment seminars were organised, attracting more than 260 business owners, senior executives and industry practitioners interested in exploring opportunities in Hong Kong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). Two of the seminars were co-organised with Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) under the Economic and Trade Express (ETE) to promote the platform's services.
On January 28, the Singapore ETO and the GBA Entrepreneurs Alliance co-organised the Vietnam - China Cooperation Forum on Artificial Intelligence and Green Technology 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam. The forum attracted over 120 participants from government agencies, business chambers, technology enterprises and professional sectors, including the Consul-General of the People's Republic of China in HCMC, Mr Tang Li as well as ,the Chairman of the GBA Entrepreneurs Alliance, Dr Jonathan Choi.
In her opening remarks, the Director of the Singapore ETO (designate), Ms Elsa Hung, highlighted Hong Kong's close and growing ties with Vietnam. She emphasised Hong Kong's unique advantages under the "one country, two systems" principle in connecting the Chinese Mainland with the rest of the world, as well as its role as an international financial centre, international trade centre and international innovation and technology hub.
Ms Hung introduced the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government's initiatives to promote the development and adoption of AI and to advance green technology, including funding earmarked for the establishment of the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute.
She also underscored Hong Kong's internationalised business environment, world-class professional services, common law system that is internationally compatible, simple and low-tax regime, and extensive logistics network. These strengths position Hong Kong as an ideal platform for Mainland enterprises seeking to expand globally, while attracting international capital and talent to seize opportunities in the GBA and beyond.
The forum featured thematic sessions on digital transformation, AI-driven smart manufacturing, green transition, carbon reduction, cross-border e-commerce ecosystems and green finance, and more. Participants exchanged practical insights and explored collaboration opportunities during the networking session.
An opening ceremony was also held for the Sunwah China Enterprise Overseas Cooperation Center (Vietnam), which seeks to serve as a comprehensive platform to facilitate investment, trade, innovation and industrial co-operation among Vietnam, the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong. Ms Hung witnessed the exchange of 15 Memoranda of Understanding and co-operation agreements signed between the Centre and partner enterprises from the three places.
The Singapore ETO is also committed to supporting and promoting ETE, a functional platform established through the joint efforts of the economic and trade offices, InvestHK and the HKTDC to assist Hong Kong small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups in exploring overseas markets through business missions and one-stop support services, while attracting more enterprises to invest and establish operations in Hong Kong.
On January 15, a seminar and networking event titled "From Hong Kong to the World for Tech Enterprises: Leveraging Hong Kong's Tech Strengths to Go Global" was held in HCMC, bringing together 80 senior technology and business leaders from Vietnamese enterprises. The event provided practical insights into Hong Kong's innovation and technology ecosystem and how Hong Kong and the GBA can serve as a strategic platform for global expansion.
On January 29, a seminar themed "From Hong Kong to the World: Empowering Growth for Tech Enterprises in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area" was co-organised by the Singapore ETO and SGTech in Singapore, attracting around 60 industry practitioners. The session explored Hong Kong's role as a gateway to the Chinese Mainland, opportunities arising from innovation-driven growth in the Northern Metropolis, and the city's advantages in taxation and legal systems.
At both events, the Director of the Singapore ETO, Mr Owin Fung, highlighted the HKSAR Government's strong, sector-focused support measures and encouraged start-ups across major technology domains to explore expansion into Hong Kong or collaboration with Hong Kong's enterprises. Representatives from InvestHK and the HKTDC also shared their perspectives.
The Singapore ETO will continue to promote Hong Kong's strengths as a "super connector" and "super value-adder", deepen economic and innovation collaboration with Association of Southeast Asian Nations partners, support Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland enterprises in going global, and attract more foreign enterprises to invest and operate in Hong Kong as well as the GBA.
Singapore ETO continues business and investment promotion in Singapore and Vietnam Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Singapore ETO continues business and investment promotion in Singapore and Vietnam Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Singapore ETO continues business and investment promotion in Singapore and Vietnam Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Singapore ETO continues business and investment promotion in Singapore and Vietnam Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Singapore ETO continues business and investment promotion in Singapore and Vietnam Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Singapore ETO continues business and investment promotion in Singapore and Vietnam Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Singapore ETO continues business and investment promotion in Singapore and Vietnam Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Singapore ETO continues business and investment promotion in Singapore and Vietnam Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
