Hong Kong Customs on Friday charged a 31-year-old man with one count of importing and one count of having in possession for sale purpose goods with a false trade description.

The man is said to be in charge of a shop in Hung Hom, and The Customs will later summons the shop for committing the same offenses, and one count of failing to display the required notice under the Trade Descriptions Order.

The case will be heard at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts on April 19.

During a check of the jewelry shop on April 6, Customs officers seized 1,807 pieces of gold-plated rings, pendants, necklaces, bracelets, earrings and brooches, each bearing a geographical indication "ITALY". The seized articles had a total selling price of about 1.4 million HK dollars (179,349 U.S. dollars).

Customs investigations showed that the articles were manufactured in Chinese mainland instead of Italy, and were suspected of contravening the Trade Descriptions Ordinance.

Customs officers also found that the shop had not displayed the required notice under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance Order.

Under the Trade Descriptions Order and Trade Descriptions Order, gold or platinum articles supplied in the course of trade or business must bear a mark of fineness of gold or platinum content.

Gold or platinum articles sold must be accompanied by receipts or invoices showing the description and fineness of the articles. Traders and suppliers are required to display the corresponding notices at the point of supply.

Those who fail to comply with the Orders are liable to a fine of 500,000 HK dollars and an imprisonment for five years on conviction on indictment.

Customs officers continue to conduct surprise checks on shops targeting visitors. From April 2 until now, they have inspected 49 shops.

Source: Xinhua