A man was sentenced to 11 months imprisonment today (July 17) at the District Court following earlier conviction for importing and possessing for trade counterfeit mobile phones, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

     Hong Kong Customs respectively intercepted a batch of counterfeit mobile phones returned from Singapore and imported from Singapore in October 2017. Subsequently, a man collecting the consignments was arrested and a batch of counterfeit mobile phones was further seized in his premises. Customs seized a total of 668 numbers of counterfeit mobile phones in the case.

     Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence imposed a considerable deterrent effect and delivered a clear warning to importing and exporting counterfeit items as well as possessing counterfeit items for trade purpose. It also reflected the seriousness of the relevant offences.

     Under the TDO, any person who imports or exports, or possesses for trade, any goods with a forged trade mark 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 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

Ends/Friday, July 17, 2020
Issued at HKT 20:10

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