‘Louis Vuitton’ mooncakes among 114 boxes of fake festive goodies in Hong Kong customs seizure
- Haul includes counterfeit mooncakes from Maxim’s and Peninsula Hotel, and more than 2,000 other suspected bootleg household and fashion items
- Samples of the fake mooncakes were sent for testing and not found to be hazardous
Mooncake counterfeiters are targeting prominent labels such as Louis Vuitton, Hong Kong customs has revealed, after an operation that included the seizure of 114 boxes of such items bearing forged trademarks of well-known brands.
It is the first time that suspects have been caught faking Louis Vuitton mooncakes. The bust included counterfeit mooncakes from catering company Maxim’s and Peninsula Hotel, and more than 2,000 other suspected bootleg household and fashion items.
The total estimated market value of the haul was HK$650,000 (US$83,580), the largest in the past five years, according to the Customs and Excise Department. Goods such as perfume, cosmetics and kitchenware were also among the seized items.
“With the Mid-Autumn Festival around the corner, customs will continue to step up inspections and enforcement to combat the sale of festive counterfeit food items and goods,” a spokesman for the department said.
The operation was one of many launched by customs since August 30 to combat the online sale of counterfeit mooncakes.