Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected counterfeit goods and suspected alternative smoking products worth about $1.2 million (with photo)

     Hong Kong Customs on July 15 seized about 6 300 suspected counterfeit goods and about 5 000 suspected alternative smoking products at the Tuen Mun River Trade Terminal Customs Cargo Examination Compound. The total estimated market value was about $1.2 million.
      
     Through risk assessment, Customs on that day inspected a 40-foot container, declared as carrying life jackets, lifebuoys and mobile phone cases arriving in Hong Kong from Nansha, Guangdong. After inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected counterfeit goods, including clothing, footwear and handbags, with the batch of suspected alternative smoking products inside the container.
      
     An initial investigation revealed that the batch of suspected counterfeit goods and suspected alternative smoking products would be transhipped to overseas regions.
      
     The investigation is ongoing.
      
     Customs will continue to strengthen co-operation with the Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies and take stringent enforcement action against cross-boundary counterfeit goods activities and smuggling of alternative smoking products.
      
     Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who imports or exports any goods to which a forged trade mark is applied commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
      
     Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person who imports an alternative smoking product, including electronic cigarette products, heated tobacco products, herbal cigarettes and any related devices, parts and accessories, commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
      
     Members of the public may report any suspected violation of the above-mentioned Ordinances to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).