Hong Kong Customs seized about 5 000 suspected counterfeit handbags and 1 000 unmanifested suspected counterfeit wallets with an estimated market value of about $850 000 at the Customs Cargo Examination Compound, River Trade Terminal, Tuen Mun on January 29.

     Through risk assessment, Customs officers inspected a 40-foot container arriving in Hong Kong from Huangpu, Guangdong Province destined for Chile. Upon inspection, Customs officers found the suspected counterfeit handbags and wallets in the container.

     Investigation is ongoing.

     Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who imports or exports any goods to which a forged trade mark is applied commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

     Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected infringing and smuggling activities to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.

Ends/Friday, February 2, 2018
Issued at HKT 16:46

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