Hong Kong Customs today (April 23) mounted a special enforcement operation codenamed "Gridbuster" in Mong Kok to combat the sale of counterfeit goods, seizing about 1 900 suspected counterfeit items with an estimated market value of about $520,000.

     Customs earlier conducted patrols and discovered fixed-pitch hawker stalls selling suspected counterfeit goods in Mong Kok. After investigations, Customs officers took enforcement action today and raided nine fixed-pitch hawker stalls on Tung Choi Street and a nearby upstairs counterfeit goods storage area. A batch of suspected counterfeit goods, including handbags, clothes and accessories, was seized.

     During the operation, a 52-year-old woman and a 65-year-old man were arrested.

     An investigation is ongoing.

     With the Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland approaching, Customs will continue to step up inspections and enforcement to vigorously combat different kinds of counterfeit goods activities before and during the holidays to safeguard consumer rights.
      
     Customs reminds consumers to purchase goods at reputable shops and to check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt. Traders should be cautious and prudent in merchandising since the sale of counterfeit goods is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions.

     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.

     Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Ends/Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Issued at HKT 21:41

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