The proprietor of a seafood retailer in Lau Fau Shan was fined $3,000 under the Weights and Measures Ordinance after pleading guilty to selling short-weight seafood today (June 18) at Tuen Mun Magistrates' Court.
In March this year, acting on information, Customs officers posing as customers bought shrimps and crabs from the targeted stall, which were confirmed by the Government Laboratory to be 2.75 taels (17.19%) and 24.11 taels (54.80%)respectively less than the purported weight.
This is the 22nd prosecution against unscrupulous seafood retailers by the Customs and Excise Department this year. In the previous prosecutions, seafood retailers were fined from $300 to $6,000.
"The Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement actions against short weight activities to protect consumers' interests and to uphold a fair trading environment," a spokesman for the department said.
Under the Weights and Measures Ordinance, any person who in the course of trade supplies goods to another person by weight or measure, should supply the goods in net weight or net measure. Any shortage of quantity purporting to be supplied is an offence. The maximum penalty is a fine of $10,000. Besides, any person who uses for trade or has in his possession for use for trade any weighing or measuring equipment which is false or defective commits an offence. The maximum penalty is a fine of $20,000.
Hong Kong Customs also appeals to the public to report any cases of suspected short-weight offences to the Department by calling the 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Ends/Friday, June 18, 2010