Hong Kong Customs Seizes US$20 Million in Counterfeit World Cup Merchandise, Arrests Six
Hong Kong customs authorities seized approximately 230,000 counterfeit items worth US$20 million during an operation targeting fake World Cup merchandise, resulting in six arrests. The seizure included 30,000 fraudulent jerseys and other goods such as shoes, handbags, and speakers, with most items destined for overseas markets in the Americas. The operation highlights increased smuggling activity ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which is being hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Hong Kong's Customs and Excise Department announced the seizure of approximately 230,000 suspected counterfeit items valued at US$20 million during an operation code-named "Clean Sheet" that ran from May 26 to early June 2026. The operation uncovered 29 suspected smuggling cases and five online sales cases involving World Cup products, resulting in the arrest of six individuals—including a truck driver apprehended at a border checkpoint and five people involved in online sales. The seized merchandise included about 30,000 counterfeit jerseys, some of which were described as so finely made they were difficult to distinguish from authentic products, along with football shoes, goalkeeper gloves, luxury handbags modeled on Louis Vuitton designs, Rolex watches, and audio speakers. Nearly 80 percent of the goods were destined for the Americas, where the 2026 World Cup is being jointly hosted. Authorities emphasized that the tournament's expanded format—featuring the largest number of participating teams and matches held across three countries—is expected to increase both demand for merchandise and smuggling activity.
What different sources said
- Channel NewsAsiaCenter
Hong Kong customs swoop ahead of the World Cup, seizing US$20 million in fake goods
- South China Morning PostCenter
6 arrested as Hong Kong customs seizes HK$156 million in fake World Cup goods
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