A jade crafts shop owner was sentenced to imprisonment for two weeks suspended for one year and was ordered to offer $10,000 in compensation to a victim today (November 21) at Eastern Magistrates' Courts for supplying fake jade with a false trade description, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).
Hong Kong Customs earlier received information alleging a jade crafts shop in Sheung Wan made a false claim and sold a jade product which was claimed to be a specific type of jade.
After examination, it was confirmed that the product was man-made glass, different from what had been declared.
Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to procure goods from 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/Wednesday, November 21, 2018