Customs officers have charged the 31-year-old boss of a Hung Hom jewellery shop with importing and possessing for sale goods with a false trade description. He will appear in Kowloon City Magistracy on April 19.

The shop will be summonsed for the same offences, and one count of failing to display the required notice under the Trade Descriptions (Marking) (Gold & Gold Alloy) Order.

Gold rush: Customs officers seized 1,807 gold-plated rings, pendants, necklaces, bracelets, earrings and brooches, each bearing the geographical indication "ITALY".

During a check of the shop on April 6, officers seized 1,807 gold-plated rings, pendants, necklaces, bracelets, earrings and brooches, each bearing the geographical indication "ITALY". The seized items had a total selling price of about $1.4 million.

Investigations found that the articles were manufactured on the Mainland and contravene the Trade Descriptions Ordinance. Officers also found the shop had not displayed the required notice under the Trade Descriptions (Marking) (Gold & Gold Alloy) Order.

Officers have conducted surprise checks on 49 shops since April 2.