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Our VisionWe are a progressive and forward-looking Customs organisation, which contributes to the stabilityand prosperity of the community. We act with confidence, serve with courtesy and strive forexcellence.

Mission

• To protect the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region against smuggling.• To protect and collect revenue on dutiable goods.• To detect and deter narcotics trafficking and abuse of narcotic drugs.• To protect intellectual property rights.• To protect consumer interests.• To protect and facilitate legitimate trade and industry and to uphold Hong Kong's

trading integrity.• To fulfill international obligations.

Values

• Professionalism and Respect• Lawfulness and Justice• Accountability and Integrity• Foresight and Innovation

Customs and Excise Department

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We pledge to provide an efficient, courteous and professional service to the public in respect ofthe following areas :

Anti-SmugglingThe Department is the agency primarily responsible

for the prevention and suppression of smuggling and

enforcement of licensing controls on import and

export of prohibited articles. We deter smuggling

by inspecting cargoes, processing travellers and

their baggage and searching conveyances entering

and leaving Hong Kong; and conducting regular land

and maritime patrols. A dedicated Joint Police/

Customs Anti-smuggling Task Force has also been

set up to combat smuggling activities.

Revenue Protection and CollectionThe Department is responsible for the protection

and collection of duties derived from dutiable

commodities, namely, hydrocarbon oil, liquor,

methyl alcohol and tobacco. We administer a licence

and permit system to control industr ia l and

commercial establishments which manufacture,

import, export, store and deal with dutiable

commodities. Besides, the Department also assesses

the provisional taxable value of motor vehicles and

maintains a registration scheme for motor vehicle

importers and distributors. Special teams have also

been established to combat syndicated smuggling,

distribution and peddling of dutiable cigarettes, and

smuggling, sale and use of contraband fuel oil.

Anti-NarcoticsThe Department plays a key role in the prevention

and suppression of trafficking and abuse of narcotic

drugs. Apart from intercepting drug-trafficking at

entry/exit checkpoints, the Department launches

Customs and Excise Department

Services Provided

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proactive investigations and surveillance

operations against inland drug trafficking

activities. Besides, the Department investigates

laundering of drug proceeds and initiates

applications for freezing and confiscating

drug-related assets. On the other hand, the

Department also enforces a licensing system

to control the import, export and dealing with

25 specific precursor chemicals which can be

used for the manufacture of dangerous drugs.

Intellectual Property Rights ProtectionThe Department defends the interests of

intel lectual property r ights owners and

legitimate traders by investigating illicit activities of

copyright piracy, trademark counterfeiting and

application of false trade descriptions. We are

responsible for issuing licences to local optical disc

manufacturers and the import and export of optical

disc mastering and replication equipment. Surprised

visits are conducted to inspect the factory premises

of the registered optical discs manufacturers. A

Special Task Force has also been set up to step up

enforcement action against the retail of pirated

goods.

Trade ControlsThe Department safeguards the certification and

licensing systems for the import and export of

goods. We investigate offences of origin fraud,

circumvention of textiles licensing control, violation

against the strategic trade controls and misuses of

import and export licences covering prohibited

art ic les by conducting cargo examinat ion at

checkpoints, factory inspections, factory audit

checks and consignment checks. The Department

also processes and verifies import and export

declarations as well as assesses and collects

declaration charges and clothing industry training

levies.

Consumer ProtectionThe Department protects consumers’ interests

through enforcement of legislation relating to

weights and measures, markings on fineness of

precious metals, and safety of toys, children's

products and consumer goods. We conduct

investigations and spot checks to ensure the use of

accurate weighing and measuring equipment, trading

of gold and platinum goods of accurate fineness and

sale of reasonably safe products.

Services Provided

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# Upon receipt of enquiries / complaints. * Upon receipt of applications / requests, provided that full details are given by the applicants / requesters. Pledges on

Registration and Consignment Inspections relate to the receipt of referrals of applications from Trade and IndustryDepartment.

** Upon receipt of appointment from importers.

*** From the moment the consignee or its authorised agent arrives at the Customs office for collection of detained goods.Note : On 27 October 2004, the Department announced the revised departmental procedures on the handling of public

complaints, together with the establishment of the Complaints Investigation and Assessment Panel and the Complaint

Appeals Committee. It aims to enhance the impartiality and objectivity in handling public complaints with a view tofurther improving the quality of the services delivered by the Department to the public. According to the new guidelinesfor public complaints handling, the investigation of a public complaint should be completed within eight weeks from the

date the Departmental Complaints Officer acknowledges receipt of the complaint.

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Comments and SuggestionsWe welcome any comments or suggestions about the ways in which our services are delivered. These can

be addressed to :

There will be occasions when, despite our best efforts, the services provided do not match the standards

set. In such cases, you have the right to a full and prompt explanation. If you want such an explanation, you

may

• contact the officer-in-charge on the spot; or

• write to the Departmental Complaints Officer at Room 1030, 10/F, Skyline Tower, 39 Wang Kwong Road,

Kowloon Bay, Kowloon; or

• send us your comments and suggestions at email address : customsenquiry@customs.gov.hk

All complaints, whether oral or written, will be dealt with expeditiously. An interim reply will be given

within 10 working days if it is not possible to give a substantive one within that time.

Right Of AppealIf you still feel your case has not been dealt with adequately, you may write to the Commissioner of

Customs and Excise at the above address.

Commissioner of Customs and Excise8/F, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong

orsend us a message at email :

customsenquiry@customs.gov.hk

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Where To Go For Further InformationFor further information, you are invited to visit our departmental homepage at web address

http://www.customs.gov.hk/. Officers at the telephone numbers listed below will also be pleased

to provide information on the services provided by the Department :

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the Customs and Excise Department HKSAR.