Hong Kong Customs combats unfair trade practices at medicine shop
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A Customs officer this afternoon, disguised as customer, conducted a test-buy operation at a medicine shop in Mong Kok. A salesman was suspected of making a false claim in the course of selling a medicine by saying that it was a particular brand of medicine. However, the officer later found that the medicine was not the brand specified by the salesman. Customs officers then arrested the 40-year-old salesman.
An investigation is ongoing and the arrested man was 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. 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).
Ends/Thursday, September 25, 2025
Issued at HKT 19:28
Issued at HKT 19:28
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