Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected counterfeit goods worth about $156 million in "Clean Sheet" operation (with photo)
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Through intelligence analyses and in-depth investigations, Customs officers detected 27 related cases at a number of local logistics companies during the aforementioned period. A total of about 30 000 suspected counterfeit jerseys were seized. After follow-up investigations, Customs believed that the suspected counterfeit goods were intended for re-export to overseas markets instead of for sale in Hong Kong.
Moreover, Customs officers detected two cases at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port and Shenzhen Bay Control Point, seizing batches of suspected counterfeit goods from two incoming lorries. A male lorry driver, aged 36, was arrested.
Meanwhile, Customs further detected five cases of selling suspected counterfeit football jerseys through an online platform. Customs carried out cyber patrols and discovered that someone was selling suspected counterfeit football jerseys through an online platform. After a detailed investigation, Customs officers arrested five persons, aged 17 to 30, who were suspected of selling counterfeit football jerseys online. About 40 suspected counterfeit football jerseys were seized.
Investigations into the cases are ongoing. The six arrested men have been released on bail pending further investigation.
Customs appeals to consumers to purchase goods at reputable shops or websites to avoid buying counterfeit goods. Practitioners in the logistics industry should also comply with the requirements of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO) and should check with the trademark owners or authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt. Traders should also be cautious and prudent in merchandising since selling counterfeit goods is a serious crime, and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions.
Customs will continue to step up inspections and conduct intelligence-led enforcement to vigorously combat different types of counterfeit and infringing goods activities.
Under the TDO, any person who imports or exports or sells or possesses for sale any goods to which a forged trademark is applied 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/Thursday, June 11, 2026
Issued at HKT 17:02
Issued at HKT 17:02
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