27th October 2026 – (Hong Kong) Hong Kong Customs arrested a 30‑year‑old local salesman today on suspicion of engaging in unfair trade practices involving a misleading omission during the sale of Chinese herbal medicines, in potential contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance. Officers acted after receiving information that a staff member at a medicine shop in Tsim Sha Tsui disclosed the total price only after the selected herbs had been ground into powder, preventing the customer from making an informed decision in advance.
Following an in‑depth inquiry, the suspect was detained for investigation and held for questioning. Customs said enquiries remain ongoing. The authority reiterated that it has long been concerned about visitors being misled into purchases through unfair practices and has set up a Quick Response Team to handle urgent complaints from short‑haul visitors, with priority referral to investigators for follow‑up.
Customs reminded traders to comply fully with the Trade Descriptions Ordinance and urged consumers to patronise reputable shops. Shoppers were advised to pay close attention to unit prices and to seek clear, upfront confirmation of the total price of selected goods before committing to a purchase.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, a trader commits an offence if a commercial practice omits or conceals material information, or provides it in an unclear, unintelligible, ambiguous or untimely manner that causes, or is likely to cause, the average consumer to make a transactional decision. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of HK$500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
