Tag Archives: China

     â€‹The Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) today (October 15) uploaded to its departmental webpage smart consumer tips and reminded members of the public on points to note in reporting cases related to the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

     The aim of the information is to promote smart shopping. It serves to enhance public awareness of consumer rights and understanding of the department’s handling of complaints related to the TDO.

     The smart tips were written after summing up the experiences in handling cases related to the TDO by the C&ED over the past few years.

     Illustrated with examples, the uploaded information gives a reminder of points to pay attention to at various stages of shopping. For instance, consumers should pay attention to transaction details and keep their invoices in case of liability claims to be taken on the questionable transactions. Other examples are also cited to show the scope of application of the TDO and the burden of proof required.

     The information can be browsed through the C&ED webpage at www.customs.gov.hk/en/consumer_protection/trade_desc/unfair/index.html.

     In addition to carrying out stringent enforcement, the C&ED is committed to enhancing public understanding of its TDO-related complaint handling mechanism through public education activities, including public/community talks and consumer alerts on its website. read more

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (October 14) seized 192 apples with a suspected false claim of species from a fruit retailer in Tai Po with an estimated market value of about $1,500.

     Customs earlier received information alleging that a fruit retailer sold a type of fruit with the suspected false claim of species as “Orin Apple”.

     Customs officers conducted a test-buy operation immediately and seized the batch of apples with the suspected false claim of species from a fruit retailer in Tai Po. A 62-year-old male sole proprietor was arrested.

     Investigation is ongoing and inspections will continue.

     Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO). False or misleading claims on species of goods may constitute an offence under the TDO. Consumers are advised to procure goods at reputable shops.

     Under the TDO, any person who supplies goods with a false trade description in the course of trade or business, or is in possession of any goods for sale with a false trade description, 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 violation of the TDO to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

  

     Mobile Libraries 8, 9 and 12 will suspend services during designated periods in October and November for routine maintenance, a Leisure and Cultural Services Department spokesman announced today (October 15).       … read more

     Hong Kong Customs seized a batch of suspected smuggled goods, including about 176 kilograms of frozen beef, about 38kg of bird nest, about 3kg of fish maw and five cartons of cosmetics with an estimated market value of about $1.8 million at Man Kam To Control Point on October 13.

     Customs officers intercepted an outgoing private car at Man Kam To Control Point on October 13 and found the batch of suspected smuggled goods on board the vehicle. The 47-year-old male driver and the 18-year-old female passenger were arrested.

     After follow-up investigation, Customs officers further arrested a 41-year-old woman suspected to be involved in the case on the same day.

     Investigation is ongoing and the arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigation.

     Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

  

     The Transport Department (TD) today (October 15) announced that the next auction of personalised vehicle registration marks (PVRMs) will be held on November 11 (Sunday), at Meeting Room S221, L2, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai.

     “A total of 235 approved PVRMs will be put up for public auction. A list of the marks was posted on the department’s website, www.td.gov.hk, today,” a department spokesman said.

     The reserve price of all these marks is $5,000. Applicants who have paid a deposit of $5,000 should also participate in the bidding (including the first bid at the reserve price). Otherwise, the PVRM concerned may be sold to another bidder at the reserve price.

     People who wish to participate in the bidding at the auction should take note of the following important points:

(i) Paddle bidding will be used at this auction;

(ii) The display of a PVRM on a motor vehicle should be in compliance with the requirements stipulated in Schedule 4 of the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) Regulations;

(iii) Any change to the arrangement of letters, numerals and blank spaces of a PVRM, i.e. single and two rows as auctioned, will not be allowed;

(iv) Purchasers must make payment of the purchase price through the Easy Pay System (EPS) or by crossed cheque and complete the Memorandum of Sale of PVRM immediately after the bidding for the PVRM concerned. Subsequent alteration of the particulars in the memorandum will not be permitted. For an auctioned mark paid for by cheque, the first three working days after the date of auction will be required for cheque clearance confirmation before processing of the application for mark assignment can be completed; and

(v) The purchaser shall, within 12 months after the date of auction, apply to the Commissioner for Transport for the PVRM to be assigned to a motor vehicle registered in the name of the purchaser. If the purchaser fails to assign the PVRM within 12 months, allocation of the PVRM will be cancelled and arranged for re-allocation in accordance with the statutory provision without prior notice to the purchaser.

     “Upon completion of the Memorandum of Sale of PVRM, the purchaser will be issued a receipt and a Certificate of Allocation of Personalised Registration Mark. The Certificate of Allocation will serve to prove the holdership of the PVRM. Potential buyers of vehicles bearing a PVRM should check the Certificate of Allocation with the sellers and pay attention to the details therein. For transfer of vehicle ownership, this certificate together with other required documents should be sent to the TD for processing,” the spokesman said.
     
     For other auction details, please refer to the Guidance Notes – Auction of PVRM, which is available at the department’s licensing offices or can be downloaded from its website, www.td.gov.hk. read more