Hong Kong Customs combats sale of infringing goods at mobile hawker stalls in Central (with photos)

     Hong Kong Customs conducted operations against the sale of infringing goods at mobile hawker stalls in Central district for three consecutive Sundays on January 5, on January 12 and yesterday (January 19). During the operations, about 2 200 items of suspected infringing goods with an estimated market value of about $310,000 were seized.

     Customs has stepped up enforcement actions against infringing activities prior to the Lunar New Year. Multiple mobile hawker stalls selling suspected infringing goods in Central were raided and suspected infringing goods, including clothing, leather products, handbags, wallets and eyeglasses, were seized.

     During the operations, Customs arrested three men and one woman, aged between 26 and 47.

     Customs will continue to step up inspection and enforcement to combat infringing activities during the Lunar New Year period.

     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.

     Under the Copyright Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any infringing goods commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 per infringing copy and imprisonment for four years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected infringing activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).