D. Redelivery of goods and unredeemed goods

D. Redelivery of goods and unredeemed goods

Subject to the following, if a person produces a ticket (or duplicate ticket) together with the full amount representing the principal and interest then due within 4 months from the date of making the loan by the pawnbroker, the pawnbroker must deliver up to that person the goods to which the ticket (or duplicate ticket) and the loan relate. 

The pawnbroker is entitled to withhold delivery of the pawned goods where he:

1. Has been given notice in writing by the borrower or the owner of goods not to deliver the same; 
2. Has been given notice in writing by any police officer not below the rank of sergeant that the goods have been or are suspected to have been unlawfully pawned; or
3. Has received an application in respect of the goods from any person representing himself to be the borrower or the owner of the goods. 

Generally and subject to other applicable laws, if any goods pawned to a pawnbroker are not redeemed within 4 months from the date of the loan is made by the pawnbroker, the unredeemed goods become the property of the pawnbroker. 

A borrower who wishes to continue with the loan should, before the expiration of the 4 months from the date of the loan is made, pay to the pawnbroker the interest then due. The pawnbroker should then deliver a new ticket to the borrower and cause a new entry to be made in the general book. Any pawnbroker who refuses to allow the borrower to continue the loan as mentioned commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of HK$5,000.