CAA uncovers alleged ‘Made in China’ footwear labelling fraud in Dehiwala

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has seized nearly 1,000 pairs of footwear during a raid on a suspected secret footwear manufacturing and assembly facility in Kawdana, Dehiwala.

The raid was carried out on September 11 following an investigation that traced invoices for footwear purchased from a well-known clothing and fashion retail chain, according to the CAA.

Investigators found that footwear soles and other components had allegedly been imported separately as raw materials and later assembled and bonded together at the premises in Dehiwala.

The CAA said the arrangement was suspected to have been used to avoid import duties applicable to finished footwear.

According to investigators, footwear assembled locally was then allegedly packed and labelled “Made in China” without displaying the name and address of the actual manufacturer before being supplied to a popular retail chain.

The authority said such labelling could mislead consumers into believing the footwear was imported, particularly as the products were sold in boxes carrying Chinese characters and “Made in China” markings.

Nearly 1,000 pairs of footwear, along with raw materials allegedly used in their manufacture and assembly, were taken into custody during the raid.

The CAA said further investigations are underway and legal action will be taken against the relevant parties once the investigation is completed.

The authority said it would continue carrying out inspections based on invoice and supply-chain tracing to identify misleading and unlawful trading practices and protect consumer rights. (Newswire)

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