Hong Kong Customs combats unfair trade practices of renovation service

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (October 28) and today (October 29) arrested two renovation company directors cum salespersons suspected of having applied a false trade description to the renovation service they supplied, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

     Customs earlier received information alleging that the directors cum salespersons of two renovation companies had jointly undertaken a renovation project and made false claims to the customer that the renovation service had been approved by the relevant government department, which was contrary to the fact.

     After investigation, Customs officers yesterday and today arrested two men aged 50 and 54.

     An investigation is ongoing and the two arrested men have been released on bail pending further investigation.

     Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to procure services at reputable shops.

     Under the TDO, any trader who applies a false trade description to a service supplied to a consumer 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).