Hong Kong Customs shuts down online shop selling counterfeit perfumes and skincare products
Hong Kong Customs mounted a special enforcement operation on May 26 and detected a case of selling counterfeit perfumes and skincare products at an online shop. A total of about 2 500 items of suspected counterfeit goods, with an estimated market value of about $1.5 million, were seized. One person was arrested.
Customs earlier carried out cyber patrols and discovered that an online shop was offering counterfeit perfumes and skincare products for sale. An investigation was then launched. After an in-depth investigation and with the assistance of the trademark owner, Customs officers took enforcement action on May 26 and searched an industrial unit in San Po Kong, resulting in the seizure of the batch of suspected counterfeit goods.
During the operation, a 36-year-old man was arrested under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).
An investigation is ongoing, and the arrested person has been released on bail pending further investigation. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.
Customs reminds consumers to purchase goods at reputable shops or online shops and to avoid conducting transactions with suspicious traders. They should check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt.
Customs has been striving to protect consumer rights and carries out inspections in the market and on the Internet from time to time. Moreover, Customs officers use a big-data analytics system to carry out risk assessments and analyses to verify whether online shops have complied with the TDO with a view to safeguarding the interests of consumers during online purchases.
Under the TDO, 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 mounted a special enforcement operation on May 26 and detected a case of selling counterfeit perfumes and skincare products at an online shop. A total of about 2 500 items of suspected counterfeit goods, with a total estimated market value of about $1.5 million, were seized. Photo shows some of the suspected counterfeit goods seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
DH clamps down on illegal cigar smoking in no-smoking areas
The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health (DH) carried out surprise inspections in Kwun Tong today (May 30) and issued a total of threefixed penalty notices (FPNs) in an effort to clamp down on illegal cigar smoking in no-smoking areas.
During the operation codenamed "Smokeshield", officers from TACO (including plainclothes officers) carried out inspections and enforcement action at one cigar retail shop in Kwun Tong, and issued a total of three FPNs to persons smoking cigars illegally at the premises. TACO's investigation is ongoing, and prosecution may also be taken against operators of the cigar retail shop who are suspected of aiding and abetting smoking offences.
Under the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Ordinance), smoking in a statutory no-smoking area (including indoor areas of shops) is prohibited. Any person who smokes in a statutory no-smoking areas is liable to a fixed penalty of $3,000. Venue managers of statutory no-smoking areas are empowered by the Ordinance to request a smoking offender to cease the act. If the offender is not co-operative, the manager of the no-smoking area may contact the Police for assistance.
Moreover, where smoking products (including cigars) are sold, whether in cigar retail shops or otherwise, the restrictions on the promotion and sale of smoking products stipulated in the Ordinance apply. Offenders are liable on summary conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000.
In addition, under the Criminal Procedure Ordinance, any person who aids, abets, counsels or procures the commission by another person of any offence shall be guilty of the same offence.
"From January 2025 to date, the DH has conducted over 42 inspections of cigar shops regarding illegal smoking activities, and issued a total of eight FPNs for illegal smoking in these premises. The DH will continue to closely monitor and rigorously enforce the law against smoking in no-smoking areas, as well as the illegal sale and promotion of smoking products," said the Head of TACO, Dr Manny Lam.
He cautioned that cigar smoking is just as harmful to health as other smoking products, and urged smokers to quit as early as possible for their own health and that of their family and friends. In support of the World Health Organization's World No Tobacco Day on May 31 each year, the DH is launching the 'Quit in June' campaign. Free one-week smoking cessation drug trial packs are being distributed at over 300 community pharmacies, smoking cessation clinics, District Health Centres (DHCs)/DHC Expresses and DH clinics, while free Chinese medicine ear points patches are available at over 200 designated Chinese medicine clinics to help alleviate withdrawal symptoms. The DH has collaborated with the School of Nursing of the University of Hong Kong to launch a pilot AI-assisted smoking cessation counselling service - "Chat to Quit" this year. The AI provides accurate and appropriate smoking cessation information instantly, and offers personalised smoking cessation counselling according to users' smoking history and quitting preferences. It can also provide emotional support.
The DH also operates an integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline (1833 183) to answer enquiries about smoking cessation, and provide professional counselling and referral services. Members of the public can visit the smoking cessation thematic website (www.livetobaccofree.hk) for more information on smoking cessation and related support tools and services. They can also download the "Quit Smoking App" to keep track of their quitting progress and obtain tips on fighting cravings to maintain a tobacco-free life.
Source: AI-found images
DH clamps down on illegal cigar smoking in no-smoking areas Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
DH clamps down on illegal cigar smoking in no-smoking areas Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Source: AI-found images
