Amid the growing “blind box” craze in Hong Kong, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau Ying-wah has assured that existing laws are sufficient to regulate unfair trade practices and protect consumers.
The statement came in response to an inquiry from lawmaker Simon Hoey Lee, who raised concerns about potential gambling elements in blind box sales and their impact on consumers, particularly minors.
In a written reply on Wednesday, Yau said the current laws — including the Trade Descriptions Ordinance — already cover blind box transactions, prohibiting false trade descriptions, misleading omissions, and bait advertising.
He emphasized that these regulations apply to both physical and online retailers, meaning any unfair trade practices in blind box sales would constitute a breach of the law.
Yau added that the Customs and Excise Department has been actively tackling unfair trade practices through enforcement actions, compliance promotion, and public education.
He also encouraged consumers who suspect irregularities in blind box sales to report them to the Customs or the Consumer Council.
Addressing concerns over blind boxes containing various items — ranging from pharmaceuticals and medical devices to food and dangerous goods — Yau noted that relevant laws are already in place to safeguard consumer safety.
For instance, pharmaceutical products and proprietary Chinese medicines must carry labels consistent with their registration particulars, clearly stating information such as the Hong Kong registration number, product name, active ingredients, and manufacturer details.
Yau warned that selling drugs in blind box form could constitute a breach of pharmaceutical regulations and advised the public against purchasing or using products from unknown sources.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting consumer rights, Yau said authorities would continue to monitor market trends and review safety standards to ensure the healthy development of the industry.
