Hong Kong Customs finds fake luxury watches in transshipment cargo

Hong Kong Customs says it seized about 7,000 suspected counterfeit items, with an estimated market value of more than HK$7.6 million, in a two-week operation against fake watches moving through cross-boundary transshipment cargo. The operation, codenamed “Time Shield”, ran from 28 September to 13 October and found 16 cases at local logistics companies and express parcel centres. Watches, clothing and mobile phones were among the goods. [1]

Customs believes all the goods were to be sent overseas. In one case it carried out a controlled delivery and arrested a 65-year-old man at an industrial unit in Kwai Chung, where about 600 items worth about HK$400,000 were seized. He has been released on bail while the investigation continues, and no charge has been reported. The government release dates the arrest to 7 October. Sing Tao and on.cc report it as 9 October, after a parcel bound for the United States was stopped on 7 October. [1], [2], [3]

Local reports add detail the official release does not. Sing Tao names Richard Mille, Patek Philippe, Piaget and Rolex among the brands, and describes a fake Richard Mille tourbillon that came with paperwork showing a price of HK$268,000. The genuine model, it says, is one of 50 made and retails at about HK$7.28 million. Both outlets say the fakes came with boxes, warranty cards and, in some cases, forged certificates. [2], [3]

The destinations stand out. According to Sing Tao and on.cc, Customs says more than half of the goods in this operation were heading to the Middle East, with most of the rest going to the Americas. Transshipped fakes previously went mainly to Europe and the United States, and were mostly clothing, shoes and handbags. Customs linked the move towards high-value watches to demand around watch fairs and luxury sales events. [2], [3]

Customs used the release to remind logistics operators of their obligations under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, and to check doubtful goods with trademark owners or authorised agents. Dealing in goods with a forged trademark carries a maximum penalty of a HK$500,000 fine and five years’ imprisonment. For watch brands selling into the Middle East, Hong Kong’s express parcel routes are worth watching. [1]

Sources

1. Hong Kong Government (Customs and Excise Department). Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected counterfeit goods worth over $7.6 million in “Time Shield” operation (with photos). Published 2026-10-14 19:08 Hong Kong time. English. Byline: Customs and Excise Department. Accessed 15 October 2026.
2. Sing Tao Headline. 海關打擊跨境轉運冒牌手錶 檢760萬元貨拉1男. Published 2026-10-14 16:15 Hong Kong time. Chinese (Traditional). Byline: Not shown. Accessed 15 October 2026. Working English title translation: Customs cracks down on cross-boundary transshipment of counterfeit watches; HK$7.6m of goods seized, one man arrested (working translation).
3. on.cc. 打擊跨境轉運高仿冒牌手錶 檢7,000件冒牌物品 市值760萬元拘1男. Published 2026-10-14 11:00 Hong Kong time. Chinese (Traditional). Byline: Not shown. Accessed 15 October 2026. Working English title translation: Crackdown on cross-boundary transshipment of high-quality counterfeit watches: 7,000 items worth HK$7.6m seized, one man arrested (working translation).