Hong Kong customs arrest pharmacy worker for deceptive sale of Chinese herbs
Hong Kong Customs arrested a 30-year-old male pharmacy employee in Tsim Sha Tsui for using unfair trade practices, including revealing the total price of Chinese medicinal herbs only after grinding them. Authorities warn businesses to comply with regulations and consumers to verify pricing.
Hong Kong Customs today arrested a 30-year-old local male employee of a pharmacy in Tsim Sha Tsui for suspected unfair trade practices in the sale of Chinese medicinal herbs. The arrest followed a complaint received by Customs regarding the employee's conduct.
According to the investigation, the employee promoted Chinese medicinal herbs to a customer but disclosed the total price only after the herbs had been ground into powder. Customs said this constituted an untimely provision of important information, which could mislead consumers into making a transaction.
The case remains under investigation, and the arrested individual is currently being questioned. Customs said it takes seriously any business practices that mislead shoppers, particularly tourists, and maintains a rapid-response team to handle urgent complaints from short-stay visitors to Hong Kong. Such cases are promptly referred to investigators for priority action.
Under Hong Kong's Trade Descriptions Ordinance, it is an offence for a trader to omit or hide material information, or to provide it in an unclear, ambiguous, or untimely manner, if this leads or is likely to lead an average consumer to make a transaction decision. Conviction carries a maximum fine of HK$500,000 and up to five years in prison.
Customs reminded businesses to comply with the law and advised consumers to patronise reputable shops, pay attention to pricing units, and request full details—including the total price of selected items—before making a purchase. Members of the public can report suspected violations via Customs' 24-hour hotline at 182 8080, by email at [email protected], or through an online form.