Hong Kong customs seizes over 56,000 fake goods worth HK$16.9 million in joint operation with Macau, mainland China
- Customs inspector says haul includes smartphones, phone accessories, watches, handbags and shoes, with items all destined for overseas
- Counterfeiters used brand names such as Cartier, Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Patek Philippe, Rolex and Nike
Hong Kong customs officers have arrested two men and confiscated more than 56,000 counterfeit products worth nearly HK$17 million (US$2.1 million) in a joint operation with mainland Chinese and Macau authorities.
Inspector Terence Wong Tsz-kin of the Customs and Excise Department’s intellectual property transnational investigation division said on Friday that the three-week operation had determined the seized items were destined for overseas.
“During the joint operation, Hong Kong customs seized more than 56,000 counterfeit products, which included smartphones, phone accessories, watches, handbags and shoes,” he said.
Running from April 9 to 30, the operation sought to combat the import and export of fake goods using brand names such as Cartier, Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, Rolex and Nike.
Wong said customs uncovered the contraband goods at multiple logistics centres across the city, as well as the Shenzhen Bay Control Point.
The haul was estimated to be worth HK$16.9 million, he added.
Customs said it had arrested two residents, aged 49 and 55, on April 12 and 28, respectively.