Hong Kong Customs Seizes Counterfeit Medicines, Arrests Three in Major Enforcement Operation

Hong Kong Customs special enforcement operation combats sale of suspected counterfeit proprietary Chinese medicines

Hong Kong Customs conducted a special enforcement operation across shopping spots in Kowloon from March 24 to yesterday (April 1) to combat the sale of counterfeit proprietary Chinese medicines, and seized about 450 items of suspected counterfeit proprietary Chinese medicines and about 9 900 tablets of suspected controlled medicines with a total estimated market value of about $128,000. Three persons were arrested.

Customs earlier received information alleging that suspected counterfeit proprietary Chinese medicines were on sale in shops. After comprehensive investigations and with the assistance of the trademark owners, Customs officers took enforcement action and raided six retail shops in Tsim Sha Tsui, Jordan, Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok, resulting in the seizure of the suspected counterfeit proprietary Chinese medicines and suspected controlled medicines.

During the operation, Customs arrested three men, aged between 32 and 48, including one company director and two salespersons.

An investigation is ongoing, and the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out. Samples of the suspected counterfeit proprietary Chinese medicines involved in the case will be sent to the Government Laboratory for safety testing.

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

Customs reminds consumers to procure goods at reputable shops and to check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt. Also, traders should be cautious and prudent 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 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 special enforcement operation combats sale of suspected counterfeit proprietary Chinese medicines Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Interest rate for Tax Reserve Certificates adjusted

The Inland Revenue Department announced today (April 2) that starting from April 8, 2026, the new annual rate of interest payable on Tax Reserve Certificates will be 0.1500 per cent against the current rate of 0.2417 per cent, i.e. the new rate will be $0.0125 per month per $100.

Tax Reserve Certificates bear simple interest, and interest is calculated monthly (including part of a month) from the date of purchase to the date of payment of tax. Interest is only credited when certificates are used to pay tax, and no interest is due where the principal value of a certificate is repaid to its holder.

The rate of interest payable on Tax Reserve Certificates is reviewed every month based on the average prevailing interest rate for the 12-month time deposit for $100,000 to $499,999 offered by the three note-issuing banks.

The new rate will apply to all certificates purchased on or after April 8, 2026. Certificates purchased before April 8, 2026, will continue to earn interest at the rates prevailing on their respective purchase dates. Below is a summary of the interest rates for the past periods:

For certificates purchased on or after November 4, 2024, and before December 2, 2024:

0.7167 per cent per annum

For certificates purchased on or after December 2, 2024, and before January 6, 2025:

0.5500 per cent per annum

For certificates purchased on or after January 6, 2025, and before February 3, 2025:

0.4250 per cent per annum

For certificates purchased on or after February 3, 2025, and before October 6, 2025:

0.3417 per cent per annum

For certificates purchased on or after October 6, 2025, and before January 5, 2026:

0.2583 per cent per annum

For certificates purchased on or after January 5, 2026, and before April 8, 2026:

0.2417 per cent per annum

For certificates purchased on or after April 8, 2026, until further notice:

0.1500 per cent per annum

Interest will cease to accrue after 36 months.

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