Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macau customs deepen IP enforcement cooperation
Customs from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau agreed to strengthen intellectual property enforcement in the Greater Bay Area. A 12-day joint operation in July seized about 38,000 suspected counterfeit goods worth HK$15 million. The three sides will enhance targeted actions, intelligence sharing and ri
Customs authorities from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau have agreed to deepen intellectual property (IP) enforcement cooperation in the Greater Bay Area, following a meeting on 10 November 2026. The three sides reviewed recent joint operations and set out a strategy to combat cross-border trafficking of counterfeit goods.
During a 12-day joint operation from 20 to 31 July 2026, the three customs services intensified checks on cargo in transit to the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia. Hong Kong Customs, using risk assessment, targeted logistics centres and warehouses and seized about 38,000 suspected counterfeit items, including watches, mobile phones and accessories, with an estimated street value of about HK$15 million.
The three customs authorities reached a consensus on three main areas for future cooperation in the Greater Bay Area. First, they will develop more targeted joint operations focusing on specific border checkpoints and high-risk goods. Second, they will improve multi-level intelligence-sharing channels and establish a two-way feedback mechanism to boost the effectiveness of cross-border enforcement. Third, they will strengthen communication with rights holders, building a collaborative framework that includes enforcement agencies, industry bodies and IP owners. The three sides said they aim to create an "IP protection umbrella" for the Greater Bay Area to help domestic brands expand overseas.
A delegation from the Guangdong branch of China's General Administration of Customs also visited a courier operations centre in Tuen Mun, Hong Kong. The visit aimed to demonstrate how Hong Kong Customs monitors express shipments, works closely with the industry and shares information to improve risk identification and enforcement efficiency while facilitating legitimate trade.
The three customs authorities have prioritised IP protection since 2019, in line with the Greater Bay Area development blueprint. They have conducted intelligence exchanges, joint operations and study visits. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Customs IP Enforcement Cooperation Meeting serves as a platform to review results, share enforcement experience and plan future strategies.