In an operation conducted by the Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) last week, a total of 632 wool quilts and silk quilts, worth $472,000, with suspected false trade descriptions on the labels were seized. The goods carried labels claiming filling of "100% Wool" or "100% Pure Silk", suggesting levels higher than the actual percentage of wool or silk content.
Acting on a complaint concerning wool quilts with suspected false claims, Customs officers test-purchased a bedding product for an authentication test. The analytical laboratory result showed that the filling of the product was not 100 per cent wool and was in fact mixed with other fibre content.
In the operation, Customs officers also collected bedding quilts labelled as containing "100% pure silk" for authentication testing. The sample test showed that the filling was mixed with other fibre content.
A C&ED spokesperson today (June 12) said that the department will continue to crack down on the supply of goods with false trade descriptions for greater consumer protection.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO), any person who supplies goods with a false trade description in the course of trade or business, or that has in his possession for sale any goods with a false trade description, commits a criminal offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Members of the public are urged to report any suspected violations of the TDO through the Customs 24-hour hotline on 2545 6182, and to keep the goods, the invoices and receipts for future reference.
Ends/Thursday, June 12, 2014
