An online trader was convicted and fined $3,000 today (August 15) at Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts for supplying SD cards to which a false trade description had been applied, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).
Hong Kong Customs earlier received information alleging the sale of SD cards with a false trade description by an online trader. Customs officers then conducted a test-buy operation via an internet trading platform and purchased a type of SD card claimed to have a storage capacity of 128GB.
After investigation and expert examination, it was confirmed that the actual storage capacity is about 31GB only, which is around 24 per cent of the declared storage capacity.
Online shopping has become more popular but there is a risk. Consumers are urged to stay alert when shopping online and to patronise shops with good reputations. Online traders should also comply with the requirements of the TDO. Hong Kong Customs will continue to step up enforcement against unfair trade practices on the Internet.
Under the TDO, any person who supplies goods with a false trade description in the course of trade or business, or is in possession of any goods for sale with a false trade description, 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 violation of the TDO to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Ends/Thursday, August 15, 2019