A travel agent was convicted and fined $10,000 today (December 6) at Fanling Magistrates' Court for having offered to supply travel service with a false trade description applied, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

     Hong Kong Customs earlier received information alleging that a travel agent was suspected of engaging in unfair trade practices in the sale of travel services.

     After investigation, it was found that the claim by the travel agent in its leaflet that a one-day tour for sightseeing in the Mainland not departing from Hong Kong was covered by the Package Tour Accident Contingency Fund Scheme carried no truth.

     Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to procure services at reputable shops.

     Under the TDO, any trader who applies a false trade description to a service supplied to a consumer 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/Thursday, December 6, 2018
Issued at HKT 19:25

NNNN