Hong Kong Customs combats unfair trade practices at medicine shop

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 25) arrested a salesperson 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 Tsuen Wan yesterday. A male salesperson was suspected to have applied a false trade description in the course of selling medicine by claiming that it was a particular brand of medicine. Customs officers then arrested the 37-year-old man.

     An investigation is ongoing and the arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation.

     Customs will continue to step up inspections and enforcements for consumers' protection.

     Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to purchase products from reputable shops.

     Under the TDO, any person who, in the course of any trade or business, applies a false trade description to any goods 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 Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).