Hong Kong Customs announced on 1 May that a month-long joint operation with counterparts in mainland China and Macau has netted 46,000 counterfeit watches, phones and luxury accessories worth HK$16 million. Twenty-one of the 23 cases uncovered involved consignments passing through local express-courier hubs, while two truckloads were intercepted at the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge. Two drivers were arrested and later released on bail. The seizure highlights continuing compliance risks for companies using cross-boundary e-commerce fulfilment. Officers said the syndicate exploited “re-export” loopholes—declaring shipments as in-transit cargo to avoid inspection. Hong Kong now plans to pilot AI-based x-ray image-matching at the bridge’s freight kiosks within months. For corporates, the key takeaway is that goods sent via third-party logistics providers may still be subject to intellectual-property audits. Mobility managers moving high-value samples or branded merchandise should flag cushion days in shipping schedules and budget for possible inspections. Authorities emphasised that closer intelligence sharing among the three jurisdictions is permanent. Macau Customs will station liaison officers in Hong Kong by Q4 2026, and a real-time manifests portal is due to go live next year. Businesses can expect more frequent spot checks but also quicker cargo-clearance green lanes for trusted consignors.
Source: South China Morning Post
