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A spokesman for the Customs and Excise today (Wednesday) reiterated that importing textile articles without a licence and importing goods bearing false origin labels are serious offences.

The spokesman said officers of Trade Licensing Investigation Bureau of the Department, in a continuous blitz operation at Man Kam To Control Point yesterday, seized more than $710,000 worth of garments, suspected of carrying no valid import licence or bearing false origin labels.

At noon yesterday, the officers intercepted an incoming lorry for examination, and found that 10,356 sets of children's suits, worth about $165,000, carrying no import licence.

A few hours later, the officers seized another textile consignment of jackets and jeans on board another incoming vehicle. The goods, worth about $545,000, were made in the Mainland.

"In the absence of origin markings, the label would mislead consumers into believing that the garments were made in the United States," the spokesman noted.

In addition, the jackets were unmanifested and were imported without an import licence, he added.

The goods are believed for local sale and were seized for violation of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, " he said.

Under the Import and Export Ordinance, the maximum fine for any unlicensed importation of textiles is $500,000 and two years' imprisonment on summary conviction.

The maximum penalty for any false marking on goods is five years' imprisonment and a fine of $500,000.

End/Wednesday, January 26, 2000

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