A vehicle distributor was fined $730,000 yesterday (August 8) at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts for failing to publish retail prices when selling warranties of new motor vehicles, in contravention of the Motor Vehicles (First Registration Tax) Ordinance.

     The vehicle distributor was convicted for selling warranties of 17 new motor vehicles between December 2016 and January 2018 without publishing in writing the retail price as required under the Ordinance. The total value of the warranties was $1,470,000.

     Under the Ordinance, a registered distributor commits an offence when selling a motor vehicle without publishing in writing a retail price, including any optional accessories and warranties, of the vehicle. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for 12 months.

     Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the Ordinance to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (August 8) seized about 6 400 kilograms of suspected American ginseng with an estimated market value of about $3.5 million at Man Kam To Control Point.

     Customs officers intercepted an incoming container truck at Man Kam To Control Point yesterday evening and found the suspected American ginseng in the container.

     The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up investigation.

     Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting an endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

  

     The Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene has ordered a restaurant in Sha Tin to suspend business for 14 days as the operator repeatedly breached the Food Business Regulation (FBR) by extending the business area illegally.
     
     The restaurant, Thai Like Kitchen, located on the ground floor of 14 Ha Keng Hau Village, Sha Tin, was ordered to suspend business from today (August 9) to August 22.
     
     "In May this year, two convictions for the above-mentioned breach were recorded against the operator of the restaurant. A total fine of $18,000 was levied by the court and 30 demerit points were registered against the licensee under the department's demerit points system. The contraventions resulted in the 14-day business suspension," a spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said.
     
     The licensee of the restaurant had a record of two convictions for the same offence in July and August last year. A total fine of $8,000 was levied and 30 demerit points were registered. The breaches led to business suspension for seven days in November last year.
     
     The spokesman reminded licensees of food premises to comply with the FBR, or their licences could be suspended or cancelled.
     
     Licensed food premises are required to exhibit a sign, at a conspicuous place near the main entrance, indicating that the premises have been licensed. A list of licensed food premises is available on the FEHD's website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/licensing/index.html).

     The Transport Department today (August 9) announced that the auction of traditional vehicle registration marks will be held on September 9 (Sunday), in Meeting Room S421, L4, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai.
 
     "A total of 280 vehicle registration marks will be put up for public auction. The list of marks has been posted at the department's website, www.td.gov.hk," a department spokesman said.
 
     Applicants who have paid a deposit of $1,000 to reserve a mark for auction should also participate in the bidding (including the first bid at the reserve price of $1,000). Otherwise, the mark may be sold to another bidder at the reserve price.
 
     People who wish to participate in the bidding at the auction should take note of the following important points:
 
(a) Successful bidders are required to produce the following documents for completion of registration and payment procedures immediately after the successful bidding:
 
(1) the identity document of the successful bidder;
(2) the identity document of the purchaser if it is different from the successful bidder;
(3) a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation if the purchaser is a body corporate; and
(4) a crossed cheque made payable to "The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" or "The Government of the HKSAR". (For an auctioned mark paid for by cheque, the first three working days after the date of auction will be required for cheque clearance confirmation before processing of the application for mark assignment can be completed.) Successful bidders can also pay through the Easy Pay System (EPS). Payment by post-dated cheques, cash or other methods will not be accepted.
 
(b) Purchasers must make payment of the purchase price through EPS or by crossed cheque and complete the Memorandum of Sale of Registration Mark immediately after the bidding. Subsequent alteration of the particulars in the memorandum will not be permitted.
 
(c) A vehicle registration mark can only be assigned to a motor vehicle which is registered in the name of the purchaser. The Certificate of Incorporation must be produced immediately by the purchaser if a vehicle registration mark purchased is to be registered under the name of a body corporate.
 
(d) Special registration marks are non-transferable. Where the ownership of a motor vehicle with a special registration mark is transferred, the allocation of the special registration mark shall be cancelled.
 
(e) The purchaser shall, within 12 months after the date of auction, apply to the Commissioner for Transport for the registration mark to be assigned to a motor vehicle registered in the name of the purchaser. If the purchaser fails to assign the registration mark within 12 months, allocation of the mark will be cancelled and arranged for re-allocation in accordance with the statutory provision without prior notice to the purchaser.
 
     For other auction details, please refer to the Guidance Notes – Auction of Vehicle Registration Marks, which can be downloaded from the department's website, www.td.gov.hk.

     A Basic Law roving exhibition organised by the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau will be held this Saturday and Sunday (August 11 and 12) in Tsz Wan Shan.

     In addition to an exhibition introducing the content and implementation of the Basic Law, members of the public may also gain a better understanding of the Basic Law by participating in computer and stall games.

     The roving exhibition will be held at Third Floor, Tsz Wan Shan Shopping Centre, 23 Yuk Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan, Kowloon, from 11am to 7pm. Admission is free.