Hong Kong Customs steps up enforcement action against counterfeit goods activities with approach of Labour Day Golden Week of Mainland
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (April 22) mounted a special enforcement operation codenamed "Gridbuster" in Mong Kok to combat the sale of counterfeit goods and seized about 1 800 suspected counterfeit items with an estimated market value of about $ 1.1 million.
Customs earlier conducted patrols and discovered some fixed-pitch hawker stalls selling suspected counterfeit goods in Mong Kok. After investigations, Customs officers took enforcement action yesterday and raided 19 fixed-pitch hawker stalls on Tung Choi Street. A batch of suspected counterfeit goods, including handbags, leather goods and accessories, was seized.
During the operation, one man and three women, aged between 36 and 57, were arrested.
An investigation is ongoing, and the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.
With the Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland approaching, Customs will continue to step up inspection and enforcement to vigorously combat different kinds of counterfeit goods activities before and during the holidays in order to safeguard consumer rights at full strength.
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. 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 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 Labour Day Golden Week of Mainland Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects case involving precious metals and stones dealer carrying out specified cash transaction without Category B registration
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (April 22) detected a case involving a local company that conducted cash transactions of watches containing precious metals and stones valued at over HK$120,000, while not being a Category B registrant under the Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Regulatory Regime. One person involved in the case was arrested.
The investigation is ongoing. The arrested person has been released on bail.
According to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615), unless exempted, any person who is seeking to carry on a business of dealing in precious metals and stones and engage in any transaction(s) (whether making or receiving a payment) with a total value at or above HK$120,000 in Hong Kong is required to register with Hong Kong Customs.
In particular, no person other than a Category B registrant may carry out a cash transaction with a total value at or above HK$120,000 in the course of business of dealing in precious metals and stones. Any dealer who is not a Category B registrant, who claims to be a Category B registrant, claims to be authorised to carry out, or carries out any cash transaction(s) with a total value at or above HK$120,000, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of HK$100,000 and imprisonment for six months.
Customs reminds dealers in precious metals and stones that they must obtain the relevant registration before they can carry out any cash or non-cash transaction(s) with a total value at or above HK$120,000.
For the forms, procedures and guidelines to submit applications for registration, please visit the website for Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Registration System (www.drs.customs.gov.hk) or Customs' webpage (www.customs.gov.hk/en/service-enforcement-information/anti-money-laundering/supervision-of-dealers-in-precious-metals-and-ston/index.html).
Members of the public may report any suspected transactions involving precious metals and stones with a total value at or above HK$120,000 conducted without the required registration 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).
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