Thousands Of Fake Skincare Products Seized

Customs officers have seized more than six-thousand counterfeit skincare and cosmetics products from stores and warehouses across the territory.

Twelve people have been arrested over the haul worth around HK$600,000.

The counterfeit goods were 40 to 80 percent cheaper than authentic ones.

Customs divisional commander Peggy Tam said customers would have struggled to spot the fake goods – if not for the cheaper prices.

“The packing of these seized cosmetics and skincare products look very similar to the genuine ones. Some shops are displaying the genuine products with the counterfeit products to cheat customers,” she said.

Customs officers said they smashed two suppliers distributing suspected counterfeit products

The operation was carried out from Wednesday to Sunday, targeting seven shops in Causeway Bay, Yau Ma Tei and Sheung Shui and three storage facilities in Yuen Long and Fanling.

Of those arrested are directors, a shop owner and sales staff.

Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, the maximum penalty for anyone convicted of selling or possessing for sale any goods with a forged trademark is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.