6,000 fake Euro 2024, Copa America jerseys among items worth HK$52 million seized in Hong Kong
- ‘It is the biggest seizure of counterfeit goods in terms of number and value so far this year,’ senior superintendent says
Hong Kong customs has seized counterfeit products worth HK$52 million (US$6.7 million), including more than 6,000 fake Uefa Euro 2024 and Copa America football jerseys, in a three-week operation.
Acting senior superintendent Peggy Tam Pui-ying of customs’ intellectual property investigation bureau said on Wednesday an investigation revealed the shirts were destined for America, Europe and the Middle East.
The items, which could fetch as much as HK$2.4 million if sold in those regions, included counterfeit England and France jerseys.
Tam said the fake kits were seized during the operation between June 3 and 23 before being shipped out of the city. They were from more than 20 cross-boundary transshipments on the premises of citywide logistics companies.
Customs officers also arrested two people and seized an additional 31 counterfeit jerseys during raids on two online stores.
Tam said the price range of fake jerseys in the city’s underground market was between HK$175 and HK$250, while the genuine ones cost from HK$600 to more than HK$1,000.
Assistant Superintendent So Kim-fai of the same bureau said the embroidered designs on the knock-off jerseys were rough and coarse, and the lettering was blurry and unclear.
He said the shirts were made of low-quality materials that were less breathable.
“In contrast, genuine products are designed with great attention to detail and use high-quality materials,” So said.
According to the Customs and Excise Department, the crackdown was launched amid a series of major international sports events.
Tam said that based on past experience, counterfeiters also targeted such international tournaments to make knock-off products and tried to pass them off as the real thing to make a profit.
Customs targeted counterfeit activities involving cross-boundary transshipments, online stores and retail outlets.
In addition to the two suspects accused of selling counterfeit jerseys online, customs officers arrested seven others. The haul of about 68,000 counterfeit products also included watches, handbags and footwear.
Most of the items were seized in the offices of the logistics companies in various locations such as Kowloon Bay, Kwai Chung, Lau Fau Shan, Tuen Mun and Yuen Long.
The acting senior superintendent said the products had an estimated street value of HK$52 million.
“It is the biggest seizure of counterfeit goods in terms of number and value so far this year,” Tam said.
She said investigations into the source and final destinations of the seized goods were ongoing.
All of the suspects were released on bail pending further investigation.
Tam said customs would continue to use a big-data analytics system to conduct risk assessment and crack down on counterfeit activities at all levels.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, importing, exporting, selling or possessing for sale any product with a forged trademark is punishable by up to five years in prison and a HK$500,000 fine.
