Hong Kong Customs Seizes 230,000 Counterfeit Goods Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected counterfeit goods worth about $156 million in "Clean Sheet" operation

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches approaching, Hong Kong Customs conducted an enforcement operation codenamed "Clean Sheet" between May 26 and yesterday (June 10) with a view to combating counterfeit and infringing goods activities related to the World Cup involving cross-boundary transshipments and online sales. A total of 34 related cases were detected and about 230 000 items of suspected counterfeit goods, with a total estimated market value of about $156 million, were seized. During the operation, six persons were arrested.

Through intelligence analyses and in-depth investigations, Customs officers detected 27 related cases at a number of local logistics companies during the aforementioned period. A total of about 30 000 suspected counterfeit jerseys were seized. After follow-up investigations, Customs believed that the suspected counterfeit goods were intended for re-export to overseas markets instead of for sale in Hong Kong.

Moreover, Customs officers detected two cases at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port and Shenzhen Bay Control Point, seizing batches of suspected counterfeit goods from two incoming lorries. A male lorry driver, aged 36, was arrested.

Meanwhile, Customs further detected five cases of selling suspected counterfeit football jerseys through an online platform. Customs carried out cyber patrols and discovered that someone was selling suspected counterfeit football jerseys through an online platform. After a detailed investigation, Customs officers arrested five persons, aged 17 to 30, who were suspected of selling counterfeit football jerseys online. About 40 suspected counterfeit football jerseys were seized.

Investigations into the cases are ongoing. The six arrested men have been released on bail pending further investigation.

Customs appeals to consumers to purchase goods at reputable shops or websites to avoid buying counterfeit goods. Practitioners in the logistics industry should also comply with the requirements of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO) and should check with the trademark owners or authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt. Traders should also be cautious and prudent in merchandising since selling counterfeit goods is a serious crime, and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions.

Customs will continue to step up inspections and conduct intelligence-led enforcement to vigorously combat different types of counterfeit and infringing goods activities.

Under the TDO, any person who imports or exports or sells or possesses for sale 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 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account(crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected counterfeit goods worth about $156 million in "Clean Sheet" operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects three smuggling cases involving river trade vessels with goods worth about $32 million seized

Hong Kong Customs detected three suspected smuggling cases involving river trade vessels on May 19, May 27 and June 2 respectively. Large batches of suspected smuggled goods with a total estimated market value of about $32 million were seized.

Through intelligence analysis and risk assessment, three river trade vessels departing from Hong Kong for Macao were selected for inspection on the abovementioned dates. Upon examination, Customs officers aboard the vessels found large batches of suspected smuggled goods, including suspected pharmaceutical products, cosmetic injections, anti-obesity injections, tobacco products, heated tobacco products, and suspected scheduled redwood and whale teeth.

Investigations are ongoing. The likelihood of arrests is not ruled out.

Being a government department primarily responsible for tackling smuggling activities, Customs has long been combating various smuggling activities on all fronts. Customs will keep up its enforcement action and continue to resolutely combat sea smuggling activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, and carry out targeted anti-smuggling operations at suitable times to crack down on relevant crimes.

Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.

Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited.

Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling 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 detects three smuggling cases involving river trade vessels with goods worth about $32 million seized Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases