Hong Kong Customs combats unfair trade practices at medicine shop

     Hong Kong Customs today (September 27) arrested a salesman of a medicine shop suspected to have applied a false trade description in the course of selling a proprietary medicine, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).
      
     Customs officers conducted a test-buy operation at a medicine shop in Yau Ma Tei this afternoon. A salesman was suspected to have applied a false trade description on a brand of medicine by stating it was a particular brand of medicine. Customs officers then arrested the 31-year-old man.
      
     Investigation is ongoing and the arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation.
      
     Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to procure products at reputable shops.
      
     Under the TDO, any person who in the course of any trade or business applies a false trade description to any goods or services commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
      
     Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).