A staff member of a waterproofing service company was convicted of applying a false trade description to waterproofing services, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO), and was sentenced to imprisonment for four months, suspended for three years, and fined HK$2,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (June 26).

     Hong Kong Customs received information in May 2025 alleging that a waterproofing service company staff member had engaged in unfair trade practices in the supply of waterproofing services.

     Customs investigations revealed that the waterproofing work was carried out by way of injecting waterproofing materials, and the charges were calculated based on the weight in kilograms of materials used, amounting to $45,000. The staff member made a false claim to the consumer that a three-year free maintenance would be provided upon completion of the work. However, the water leakage problem persisted after the completion of waterproof work, and the staff member could no longer be reached. Ultimately, the staff member and the company involved failed to fulfill the promise to provide maintenance service to the consumer.

     Customs welcomes the sentence which has given a clear warning to unscrupulous practitioners in the industry. The department has all along been concerned about the unfair trade practices across all sectors and industries. Should any person or trader be found to have contravened the TDO, Customs will take decisive enforcement actions and will not tolerate any illegal acts.

     Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO. Consumers are also reminded to procure services from reputable shops. After purchasing services, they should keep the relevant records, such as transaction receipts and contracts, which can become basic information in case a complaint is lodged in the future.

     Under the TDO, any person who in the course of any trade or business applies a false trade description to any service 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/Friday, June 26, 2026
Issued at HKT 21:00

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