Hong Kong authorities have seized 67,000 counterfeit items worth HK$44 million (US$5.6 million), including those bearing Hermes, Louis Vuitton and Rolex logos, in a recent two-week operation.
The seized items included handbags, shoes and watches, and other brands like Chanel, Gucci and Patek Philippe, the South China Morning Post reported, citing the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department on Thursday.
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Fake luxury items seized by Hong Kong customs. Photo courtesy of Hong Kong authorities |
They were confiscated by the department and its counterparts in mainland China and Macao between July 18 and 31 in a joint operation targeting cross-boundary and transshipment counterfeiting, according to a press release.
The campaign sought to hamper smuggling networks moving counterfeit products through Hong Kong, Macao and the mainland, to the U.S., Europe and other destinations, as reported by The Standard.
In Hong Kong, importing or exporting goods bearing a forged trademark is a serious offense, with violators facing up to five years in prison and fines of up to HK$500,000.
The operation came amid China’s broader push to crack down on counterfeiting. Last month, its customs seized more than 40,000 suspected knockoffs featuring “Labubu,” a popular character from toymaker Pop Mart.
Zhang Yi, CEO of iiMedia Research Institute, told the Global Times at the time that the seizures underscored China’s ongoing efforts to strengthen intellectual property protection at its borders.
