appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Edith Lin

The Hong Kong government will table a bill at the Legislative Council in the first half of 2027 to introduce a statutory cooling-off period for prepaid beauty and fitness contracts, the commerce chief has said.
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau Ying-wah revealed the timeline on Saturday, two weeks after the government concluded a two-month consultation on the policy proposal to address limitations of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance on August 31.
“We hope to table the amendment bill in the first half of 2027 and queue to amend the ordinance,” he told a radio show.
“However, its schedule is subject to whether the government has other bill amendments. We hope to move forward as quickly as possible.”
The administration suggested rolling out a statutory seven-day cooling-off period and a 14-day refund window for prepaid beauty and fitness contracts. It also proposed exempting lower-value contracts to minimise disruptions, with the threshold ranging from HK$3,000 (US$382) to HK$15,000 or above.
Yau said that while the two industries supported a seven-day cooling period – a common policy in other economies – representatives from both sectors held different views on the contract threshold.
“They are two different industries and have very different contract amounts. We will make amendments based on the views collected from the industries. We hope the threshold facilitates their businesses while safeguarding consumer benefits. We have to strike a balance,” he said.
“It is possible that the threshold will be different between the fitness and beauty industries.”
Yau said the threshold would depend on the nature of the contract and the services, and authorities would need to study it in detail.
To protect consumers, the government planned to forbid operators from splitting a single service contract into multiple documents to evade regulation, he said.
He noted that some operators suggested that authorities could first implement the cooling-off period without setting a contract threshold, and added that the government was open to all suggestions.

He added that the sectors expressed concerns over potential financial harm to businesses if contracts were cancelled during the cooling-off period.
Yau said the government suggested allowing traders to deduct an administrative fee, which was up to 2 per cent of a one-off card payment and up to 5 per cent of an instalment payment plan.
He noted that authorities still had to discuss with banks and industry players how to handle and speed up the refund process, as banks might refund prepaid transactions to customers directly.
Yau said the government would focus on regulating the beauty and fitness sectors first and consider other industries later if needed.
The government’s proposal also included imposing a two-year limit on contract duration, and giving the Customs and Excise Department powers to handle cases involving the wrongful acceptance of payment.
The proposed measures would apply to contracts offered by fitness centres – including access to exercise equipment and training in fitness, bodybuilding and weight control – as well as beauty parlours providing treatments, cosmetic procedures and hair restoration services.
Premises to be exempted included those managed by public hospitals or clinics, education institutions, charitable organisations, national sports associations, and clubhouses at hotels and residential properties.
In 2024, the Consumer Council, which has long advocated for a statutory cooling-off period, recorded 2,929 complaints regarding beauty services, involving HK$93 million. Almost half of the cases stemmed from contracts of the Physical Fitness chain that abruptly closed that year.


3 stray mongrels captured after cyclist dies in suspected dog attack

Nearly 50% rise in drug seizures by Hong Kong customs in first half of year

Barristers dismiss calls for solicitors to gain senior counsel status in Hong Kong

Hong Kong school told to review arrangements after alleged Cantonese video ban

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong to table cooling-off period bill for beauty, fitness deals by mid-2027

A fitness center at Tsim Sha Tsui. The government has proposed a seven-day cooling-off period for prepaid beauty and fitness contracts. Photo: Jelly Tse

Commerce chief Algernon Yau says the government will focus on regulating the beauty and fitness sectors first and consider other industries later if necessary. Photo: Edmond So

A woman receives a face massage at a spa. The government’s proposal also included imposing a two-year limit on contract duration, and giving customs powers to handle cases involving the wrongful acceptance of payment. Photo: Getty Images

More Hong Kong consumers allege coercive beauty sales in wake of Opatra crackdown

The Mineral Boutique has at least five branches in major shopping centres, including one at Festival Walk. Photo: Dickson Lee

Customs officers arrest a 43-year-old man and 25-year-old woman in connection with a local beauty retailer linked to UK brand Opatra London accused of deceptive sales practices on August 19. Photo: Nora Tam

Hong Kong proposes cooling-off period for beauty, gym deals to curb hard-sell tactics

Complaints involving beauty and fitness services account for nearly 90 per cent of sectors most prone to improper selling practices, according to the government.  Photo: Xiaomei Chen

The proposed measures will apply to contracts offered by fitness centres. Photo: K Y Cheng

News

Hong Kong

Society

Commerce chief Algernon Yau says both sectors supported seven-day cooling-off period but differed on exemption thresholds


Commerce chief Algernon Yau says both sectors supported seven-day cooling-off period but differed on exemption thresholds.


Hong Kong to table cooling-off period bill for beauty, fitness deals by mid-2027

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Commerce chief Algernon Yau says both sectors supported seven-day cooling-off period but differed on exemption thresholds

Commerce chief Algernon Yau says both sectors supported seven-day cooling-off period but differed on exemption thresholds