A person-in-charge of a vegetable stall was convicted and fined $3,000 today (July 8) at Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts for supplying and possessing for sale vegetables with false trade descriptions applied, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO). About 214 catties of vegetables involved in the case were also confiscated.
Hong Kong Customs received information alleging that a vegetable stall was suspected of selling vegetables imported from the Mainland which were claimed as local vegetables. Customs took immediate action and seized a batch of vegetables at the vegetable stall involved. After investigation, it was confirmed that the vegetables were imported from the Mainland, which was different from what had been declared.
Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to purchase at reputable shops.
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 violations of the TDO to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Ends/Thursday, July 8, 2021