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
Banking industry introduces further measures to assist affected individuals of Tai Po fire
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Hong Kong Association of Banks (HKAB) held a meeting to explore further measures by the banking industry in support of the long-term housing arrangements for Wang Fuk Court (WFC) in Tai Po announced by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. The banking industry introduced today (March 4) additional measures to continue assisting the affected residents in an empathetic and flexible manner.
HKMA, Photo source: reference image
The HKMA and HKAB have launched 11 emergency support measures (Note)following the Tai Po fire incident last year, including a six-month pre-approved repayment grace period for various loans to alleviate the immediate financial pressure of the affected individuals. The repayment grace period also offers time and room for the affected residents and relevant parties to manage legal matters, insurance claims and rehousing arrangements associated with the affected residential mortgages.
Recognising that the affected residents may need time to understand various options and details under the long-term housing arrangements for WFC, so that they can make informed choices and corresponding financial arrangements, the banking industry announces the following three additional measures:
(1) Extend the repayment grace period for various loans: All 28 retail banks will extend the repayment grace period (including principal and interest) for existing mortgages, personal loans and credit card loans, etc. of the affected individuals by another six months to the end of November 2026, to alleviate their short-term financial pressure;
(2) Assist with mortgage arrangements under different housing options: All WFC mortgagee banks will help relevant owners in handling mortgage-related matters, including:
- Provide support to WFC mortgagors and borrowers who select the "Flat-for-Flat"option in substituting the original WFC property with the newly-purchased Subsidised Sale Flat (SSF) as mortgage collateral.The mortgagee banks have agreed that, upon completion of the collateral substitution, the loan terms (including interest rate and remaining instalments) will be no less favourable than those of the existing mortgage loan.
- At the same time, to allow residents who select the "Flat-for-Flat"option sufficient time to manage the transition arrangements, banks will further extend the repayment grace period (including principal and interest) for the existing mortgage loan until the newly-purchased SSF is ready for intake.
- For mortgagors and borrowers who choose the "Cash Acquisition"option and repay their existing mortgage loans, the mortgagee banks will adopt a flexible approach in handling any new mortgage loan when they make their own long-term housing arrangements.
(3) Establish a multi-party collaboration and communication mechanism: The HKMA, HKAB and the banking industry will establish a communication platform to understand, including through the "engagement team" co-ordinated by the Housing Bureau, the specific needs of WFC residents and provide appropriate assistance to each individual case.
The HKMA and HKAB would like to take this opportunity to remind the public to stay vigilant at all times to prevent fraudsters from taking advantage of the situation. Whenever receiving calls that claim to be from banks, the public should authenticate the identity of the caller and never disclose personal and bank account information, passwords, or other sensitive information to suspicious individuals.
Note: The HKMA and HKAB launched six emergency support measures and five additional measures on November 28 and December 4, 2025 respectively.
Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Photo by Bastille Post
