With a view to combating counterfeit goods activities related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup involving cross-boundary transshipments and online sales, Hong Kong Customs conducted an enforcement operation codenamed "Clean Sheet" between May 26 and yesterday (July 19). A total of 50 related cases were detected and about 240 000 items of suspected counterfeit goods, with a total estimated market value of about $159 million, were seized. 
      
     During the operation, 13 local men, aged between 15 and 59, were arrested. 
      
     Investigations into the cases are ongoing, and the arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigation. The likelihood of further arrests has not been ruled out.
      
     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 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/Monday, July 20, 2026
Issued at HKT 17:05

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