The Commissioner of Hong Kong Customs and Excise, Mr Hermes Tang; the Director General of Guangdong Sub-Administration of the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC), Mr Li Shuyu; and the Director-General of Macao Customs Service, Mr Vong lao Lek today (November 13) signed a memorandum on the co-operative and mutual-assistance arrangements between GACC, Hong Kong and Macao Customs at Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Ports (the Memorandum) in Gongbei, laying down a foundation for the three-side cooperation in customs affairs on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB).
The Memorandum covers the following major points:
(1) Establish a liaison mechanism for the three customs administrations;
(2) Extend the Single E-lock Scheme, which is a speedy clearance programme currently in force between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, to the Hong Kong and Zhuhai Ports of the HZMB;
(3) Implement mutual-reference and recognition of inspection findings among the three customs administrations; and
(4) Launch customs co-operation in investigation and law enforcement in different areas.
According to the Inter-Governmental Agreement signed by the governments of Hong Kong, Guangdong Province and Macao in 2010, the ports of HZMB adopt the "separate locations" mode of clearance. The Memorandum strengthens the tripartite partnership in customs affairs and will extend the scope of cooperation. It also will increase customs clearance efficiency for passenger and cargo movements and will make anti-smuggling efforts effective.
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