Hong Kong Customs today (September 18) arrested a salesman of a medicine shop suspected to have applied a false trade description in the course of selling American ginseng, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).
      
     Customs earlier received information alleging that a salesperson of a medicine shop in Tsim Sha Tsui claimed that the unit price of American ginseng was calculated per catty. After the American ginseng was sliced, the salesperson revealed that it was priced per tael.
      
     After a thorough investigation, Customs officers today arrested a 27-year-old salesman of the medicine shop concerned.
      
     An investigation is ongoing and the arrested man was being held for questioning.
      
     Customs has long been concerned about visitors being misled to make purchases by unfair trade practices and has established a Quick Response Team to handle urgent complaints lodged by short-haul visitors. The complaints will be promptly referred to investigators to handle with priority.
      
     With the National Day Golden Week of the Mainland approaching, Customs will continue to step up inspection and enforcement activities to vigorously combat unfair trade practices.
      
     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 person who in the course of any trade or business applies a false trade description to any goods 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 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/en/).

Ends/Thursday, September 18, 2025
Issued at HKT 14:55

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