Hong Kong Customs Seizes 720 Bottles of Counterfeit Liquor in Major Operation

Hong Kong Customs special operation combats sale of counterfeit liquor

Hong Kong Customs mounted a special operation in June in various districts to combat the sale of counterfeit liquor. A total of 720 bottles of suspected counterfeit liquor, with a total volume of about 575 litres and an estimated market value of about $880,000, were seized.

Customs earlier received information alleging that there were retail shops selling suspected counterfeit liquor. After in-depth investigation and with the assistance of the trademark owners, Customs officers conducted inspection in various districts and took enforcement action, and raided five retail shops in Tsim Sha Tsui, Sheung Shui, Tai Po and Fanling respectively. The batch of suspected counterfeit liquor was seized.

During the operation, six men and two women, aged between 26 and 55, were arrested. They included four shop proprietors and four staff members.

An investigation is ongoing and the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.

Samples of the suspected counterfeit liquor involved in the cases were sent to the Government Laboratory for testing. The tests were completed in July and the test results revealed that the samples did not contain methanol.

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 also be cautious and prudent in merchandising since selling 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 counterfeit 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 operation combats sale of counterfeit liquor Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects case of non-registered precious metals and stones dealer carrying out specified transactions

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 14) detected a case involving a local company that conducted transactions of precious stones valued at over HK$120,000, without registration under the Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Regulatory Regime. An investigation is ongoing.

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. Any dealer, other than a registrant, who claims to be a registrant, claims to be authorised to carry out, or carries out any cash or non-cash transaction(s) with a total value at or above HK$120,000 is liable to a maximum fine of HK$100,000 and imprisonment for six months upon conviction.

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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