Safe shopping: Permanent Secretary for Economic Development & Labour Eva Cheng meets the media after meeting the tourism trade.

A package of measures to tackle dishonest sales practices has been drawn up by the Government, after reports claiming that some Mainland visitors have been cheated while shopping in Hong Kong.

Permanent Secretary for Economic Development & Labour Eva Cheng said today the Government takes the claim seriously and will implement a series of measures to solve the problem.

Apart from enhancing enforcement against any unscrupulous shops, the Government will revise consumer protection legislation. The Consumer Council has been tasked to study the law and will submit a list of proposals in the coming months.

The Travel Industry Council will review the trade descriptions requirements in its demerit system so the name of shops that have been complained about several times will be issued online. In addition, the Government and other organisations will liaise with Mainland consumer groups to better educate visitors about shopping in Hong Kong, so know their rights and the channels of complaint.

Meanwhile, Customs officers visited two shops in To Kwa Wan and Kowloon Bay selling jewellery to Mainland visitors to detect any irregularities under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance.

While the shops were found to have displayed notices as required under the Trade Descriptions (Marking) (Gold & Gold Alloy) Order and the Trade Descriptions (Marking) (Platinum) Order, officers seized some necklaces and bracelets from the shops for testing of the accuracy of fineness marked thereon by the Government Laboratory.

Customs officers reminded operators of their legal liability under the ordinance. Anyone breaching the Trade Descriptions Ordinance faces a $500,000 fine and five years jail.