Hong Kong Customs yesterday (April 7) seized 229 pieces of external power banks with suspected false trade descriptions from an external power bank distributor, with an estimated market value of $38,000. Two persons were arrested in the case.  

     Customs earlier received information alleging that an external power bank distributor sold a model of a external power bank with a claimed capacity of "6000 mAh" (milliampere hour), but the actual capacity did not match the claimed capacity. 

     After investigation, Customs officers test-purchased the model of the external power bank at a retailer in Wan Chai, and sent two samples to an accredited laboratory to ascertain the electric capacity.  

     The test results revealed that the electric capacity of the two samples are 3715 mAh and 3755 mAh, which did not match the claimed capacity.

     Customs yesterday searched the retailer and its branches, and no such product was found for sale. Customs also searched the office of the distributor on the same day and seized external power banks with suspected false trade descriptions. 

     During the operation, a 39-year-old male director of the distributor and a 40-year-old female proprietor of the retailer were arrested.

     Apart from the retailer and the distributor concerned, Customs officers also conducted inspections in various districts and no such product was found for sale.

     An investigation is ongoing. Customs will further examine the external power banks seized to ascertain the electric capacities.  

     Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO). Also, consumers are reminded to purchase products from reputable shops and to have a clear knowledge of the product details and claims before purchase. 

     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). 

Ends/Friday, April 8, 2022
Issued at HKT 20:20

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