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Hong Kong Customs combats unfair trade practices at ginseng and dried seafood shop
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     Hong Kong Customs today (March 1) arrested a saleswoman of a ginseng and dried seafood shop suspected of engaging in unfair trade practices involving misleading omission in the sale of pseudo-ginseng, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions ordinance (TDO).

     Customs earlier received information alleging that a saleswoman at a ginseng and dried seafood shop in Tsim Sha Tsui had misled a purchaser to believe the unit price of pseudo-ginseng was calculated per catty. After the pseudo-ginseng was ground, the saleswoman revealed that the goods were priced per mace. After investigation, Customs arrested a 45-year-old woman today. Investigation is ongoing and the arrested person has been released on bail pending further investigation.

     Customs reminded traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to purchase products from reputable shops. Consumers should also be cautious about the unit price and ask for more information, including the total price of the goods selected, before making a purchase decision.

     Under the TDO, any trader who engages in a commercial practice that omits or hides material information and as a result causes, or is likely to cause, an average consumer to make a transactional decision 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.
 
Ends/Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Issued at HKT 19:00
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