Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected counterfeit goods worth over $7.6 million in "Time Shield" operation
Hong Kong Customs conducted a two-week enforcement operation codenamed "Time Shield" from September 28 to yesterday (October 13) to combat counterfeit watches and related products via cross-boundary transshipment cargo. During the operation, Customs detected 16 related cases and seized around 7 000 items of suspected counterfeit goods, including watches, clothing, mobile phones etc with an estimated market value of over $7.6 million. One person was arrested.
Through intelligence analysis and detailed investigations, Customs detected related cases at various local logistics companies and express parcel centres.After follow-up investigations, Customs believed that all of the suspected counterfeit goods would have been exported to overseas destinations. Customs officers therefore organised a controlled delivery operation in respect of one batch of those seized items. On October 7, Customs officers arrested a 65-year-old man in an industrial unit in Kwai Chung, and seized about 600 items of suspected counterfeit goods including watches, mobile phones etc with an estimated market value of about $400,000.
Investigations of the above-mentioned cases are ongoing. The arrested person has been released on bail pending further investigation.
Customs appeals to consumers to purchase goods at reputable shops or websites to avoid buying counterfeit or infringing goods. Practitioners in the logistics industry should also comply with the requirements of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO) and to check with the trademark owners or authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt.
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 over $7.6 million in "Time Shield" operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected counterfeit goods worth over $7.6 million in "Time Shield" operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected counterfeit goods worth over $7.6 million in "Time Shield" operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Brussels ETO continues support for Hong Kong films at renowned Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia
Together with the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO) is continuing the established partnership with the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia and is supporting the screening of Hong Kong films at the 2026 edition being held from October 8 to 18 (Sitges time) in Sitges, Spain.
This year, the Festival features five Hong Kong films, namely "The Black Magic with Buddha", "Cold War 1994", "Love Massacre", "Master of the Flying Guillotine" and "The Mage".
Brussels ETO hosted a reception on October 12, bringing together some 100 guests from the European film, cultural, media and business sectors. The event was graced by the presence of the producer and cast member of the film "The Mage", including renowned Hong Kong artist and lead actress of the film Josie Ho, as well as Michael Werner, a veteran of the Hong Kong film industry and an accomplished film producer.
Delivering a welcoming speech at the reception, Deputy Representative of Brussels ETO Mr Kasper Ng, thanked the organiser for once again having Hong Kong cinema be part of the Festival, and highlighted the HKSAR Government's commitment to supporting the development of the local film industry as well as the promotion of Hong Kong cinema to global audiences.
"We are dedicated to helping Hong Kong filmmakers reach audiences around the world. By showcasing both classics and new productions at prestigious European film festivals, such as here in Sitges, we celebrate Hong Kong's unique charm as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchanges, while unlocking new commercial opportunities for our creative industries," he said.
The development of Hong Kong's film industry is also supported under the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) and the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address, which were recently published. Measures include attracting more private investment and facilitating Mainland and overseas film crews filming in Hong Kong.
Founded in 1968, the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia is the world's leading fantasy film festival. It screens films across the fantastic genre, including action and adventure movies and black comedies, with a special emphasis on thrillers. The last edition attracted an audience of more than 130 000 from around the world.
Brussels ETO continues support for Hong Kong films at renowned Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Brussels ETO continues support for Hong Kong films at renowned Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
