Fruit retailer convicted of supplying and possessing for sale goods with false trade description

Date: 26/03/2018

A fruit retailer was fined $6,000 today (March 26) at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts for supplying and possessing for sale melons with a false trade description, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

Hong Kong Customs earlier received information alleging that melons with a suspected false claim of origin were being sold at some fruit stalls.

Customs officers conducted a test-buy operation and seized a total of 65 melons with a suspected false claim of origin from Japan from two fruit stalls of a fruit retailer in Sham Shui Po.

After investigation, it was revealed that the melons originated from the Mainland, 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 the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.

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