During a mega event held on February 28 and today (March 1), a joint enforcement operation with the Hong Kong Customs (Customs), the Immigration Department (ImmD), the Hong Kong Police Force (Police), the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) was conducted to combat the sale of infringing goods by mobile hawkers, illegal worker, unlicensed hawkers and illegal hawking activities in the vicinity of the Kai Tak Sports Park. 

     During the operation, Customs officers conducted test-buy operations and suspected that four mobile hawkers were visitors taking up employment or establishing or joining in business in Hong Kong. The four mobile hawkers were subsequently arrested by ImmD officers on suspicion of being illegal workers. The arrested illegal workers were two men and two women, aged 22 to 49.

     Customs, the ImmD, the Police, the FEHD and the LCSD will continue to step up high-profile patrol and enforcement to resolutely combat different kinds of illegal activities in the vicinity of the event venues during mega events.

     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. 

     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 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).

     Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, or establish or join in any business without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties.  For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, fax at 2824 1166, email anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit the "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.

     FEHD reminds the public that, under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Chapter 132), no one may sell goods on the street unless they hold a valid hawker license issued by the department. Offenders will be prosecuted and, the maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of HK$10,000 and imprisonment for six months. The goods and equipment involved will be seized and confiscated. Furthermore, if unlicensed hawkers' activities obstruct public spaces, offenders will also be prosecuted under the Summary Offences Ordinance (Chapter 228), and upon conviction, are liable to a maximum fine of HK$25,000 or imprisonment for three months.

Ends/Sunday, March 1, 2026
Issued at HKT 22:03

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