The weights and measures frauds generally involve the use of defective weighing and measuring equipment and oral misrepresentation of the actual weights.

Consumers are advised to:

• pay attention to the weighing equipment to see whether the reading is set at "0", and whether the container is clear;
• pay attention to the act and process of weighing by the seller. Try to shop as far as possible at reputable shops;
• use "public scale" to check the weight of the goods. "Public scales" are normally available at the markets manned by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department;

The difference in units of measurements between Mainland China and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is as follows :

Mass or Weight

1. Metric Units
   1 tonne	= 1000 kilograms
   1 kilogram	= 2.21 pounds (approx.)

2. Imperial Units
   1 ton	= 2240 pounds
   1 pound	= 0.45 kilogram (approx.)
   1 ounce	= 1/16 pound

3. Chinese Units
   1 picul (tam)	= 100 catties
   1 catty (kan)	= 0.61 kilogram (approx.)
   1 tael (leung)	= 1/16 catty
   1 mace (tsin)	= 1/160 catty
   1 candareen (fan)	= 1/1600 catty

Length

1. Metric Units
   1 kilometre	= 1000 metres
   1 metre	= 3.28 feet (approx.)

2. Imperial Units
   1 mile	= 1760 yards
   1 yard	= 0.91 metre (approx.)
   1 foot	= 1/3 yard
   1 inch	= 1/36 yard

3. Chinese Units
   1 chek	= 0.37 metre (approx.)
   1 tsun	= 0.1 chek
   1 fan	= 0.1 tsun

Area

1. Metric Units
   1 hectare	= 100 ares
   1 are	= 100 square metres
   1 square metre	= 10.76 square feet (approx.)
   1 square decimeter	= 0.01 square metre

2. Imperial Units
   1 square mile	= 640 acres
   1 acre	= 4840 square yards
   1 square yard	= 0.84 square meter (approx.)
   1 square foot	= 1/9 square yard
   1 square inch	= 1/144 square foot

Volume

1. Metric Units
   1 cubic metre	= 1000 cubic decimetres
   1 cubic decimetre	= 1 litre
   1 litre	= 0.04 cubic foot (approx.)

2. Imperial Units
   1 cubic yard	= 27 cubic foot
   1 cubic foot	= 28.32 litres (approx.)
   1 cubic inch	= 1/1728 cubic foot

Capacity

1. Metric Units
   1 litre	= 0.22 gallons (approx.)

2. Imperial Units
   1 gallon	= 4.55 litres (approx.)

Report Information

If you encounter weights and measures frauds, you are encouraged to report information to us.

General Enquiry

For enquiry on general information, please contact us through general enquiry.

Effective Date: With immediate effect