28th May 2026 – (Hong Kong) Hong Kong Customs have dismantled an online operation selling suspected counterfeit perfumes and skincare items, seizing around 2,500 products with an estimated market value of HK$1.5 million and arresting one man.
The enforcement action was carried out on Tuesday, 26thMay, following an in‑depth investigation. Officers had earlier identified suspicious activity through online patrols and big data risk analysis, discovering that an e‑commerce website and associated social media accounts were offering goods believed to infringe registered trademarks.
Customs officers conducted test purchases while posing as customers and, with assistance from trademark owners, gathered sufficient evidence to mount a raid. They subsequently searched a warehouse in an industrial building in San Po Kong, where the suspected counterfeit items were stored. A 36‑year‑old man believed to be responsible for the online store was arrested. He has since been released on bail pending further inquiries. Investigations remain ongoing and additional arrests have not been ruled out.
The seized goods, spanning multiple brands, were found to replicate the appearance and registered trademarks of genuine perfume and skincare products. According to investigators, the seller sought to project the image of a legitimate, sizeable retailer by operating a dedicated website and social media platforms that allowed customers to place orders directly. Marketing descriptions such as “official goods” and “parallel imports” were used to lower consumer suspicion, while prices were set at discounted levels to attract buyers. The counterfeit perfumes and cosmetics were reportedly sold for between HK$500 and HK$800, roughly half the price of authentic items.
Authorities said the suspect relied solely on courier services to distribute the goods, complicating efforts to trace the storage location. After several days of surveillance, officers identified the warehouse, situated within a subdivided industrial unit with strict access controls requiring a password for entry.
Inside, officers found goods stored in cluttered and dusty conditions that bore little resemblance to the premium image presented online. As the seized perfumes and skincare products are intended for direct application to the skin, Customs warned that improper storage could lead to deterioration. Samples will be sent to a government laboratory for testing.