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(a) Tough anti-smuggling legislation
There is adequate legislative backing for the Customs and Excise Department to combat different types of smuggling activities. Major enforcement powers for the Customs officers are vested in the Import and Export Ordinance (Chapter 60). Other ordinances include the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Chapter 109), Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Chapter 134), Control of Chemicals Ordinance (Chapter 145), Firearms and Ammunition Ordinance (Chapter 238), Trade Descriptions Ordinance (Chapter 362), Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance (Chapter 455) and Copyright Ordinance (Chapter 528), etc. The maximum penalty for conviction on indictment of the most serious smuggling offence is life imprisonment and an unlimited fine.
In December 2009, the Import and Export (Amendment) Bill 2009 was enacted to target smuggling activities by speedboat as well as to enhance the capability of local enforcement agencies in combating smuggling activities at sea. Under the newly enacted provisions of the Bill, "authorized officers" under section 4 of the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60) are extended to any police officers irrespective of rank, and the total power of the engines of a vessel that could be presumed with reasonable suspicion to have been used for the purpose of smuggling is reduced to one or more engines with the total power of which could exceed 225 horsepower.
(b) Intelligence-led customs operations
An Intelligence Bureau was established in July 2002 to strengthen intelligence collection and analysis. Decision-making processes at all operational levels are based upon the effective and efficient use of intelligence and risk management techniques to enhance targeting and interception accuracy.
(c) Increased enforcement operations
 Dedicated task forces have been set up by the Customs and Excise Department and the Hong Kong Police Force to curb smuggling.
For the Customs and Excise Department, an Anti-Illicit-Fuel Investigation Division has been in operation since May 1996 (formerly known as "Diesel Oil Enforcement Division") to step up enforcement action against illicit fuel activities. The Intellectual Property Investigation Bureau has also been strengthened to increase its law enforcement capabilities against infringement of intellectual property rights. Further, an Anti-Illicit-Cigarette Investigation Division (formerly known as "Anti-Illicit-Cigarette Task Force") has been in force since April 2000, aiming to combat illicit cigarette activities. To co-ordinate anti-smuggling efforts on all fronts, the Special Task Force has been tasked to conduct investigation since April 2010.
As for the Hong Kong Police Force, a Small Boat Division (SBDIV) was established in March 2003 with a view to combating smuggling by speedboats. The Marine Police of the Hong Kong Police Force have continued to adopt a multi-agency approach to target syndicated smuggling activities by high-speed craft, which has resulted in significant seizures of contraband, vehicles and vessels involved in smuggling activities.
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(d) Procurement of High-tech equipment for
anti-smuggling
To strengthen cargo examination and enhance the efficiency of Customs clearance, the Customs and Excise Department procured in August 2001 and April 2004 four sets of mobile X-ray scanning system. Moreover, the Department put into operation two sets of Vehicle X-ray Inspection System at Lok Ma Chau Control Point in early 2003. To serve the needs of Shenzhen Bay Control Point, the Department installed in July 2007 two sets of Vehicle X-ray Inspection System. With the aid of high-tech equipment, the Customs can detect smuggling of narcotics, arms and weapons, illegal immigrants and other kinds of contraband more effectively. In response to the increased terrorist activities over the world, the Department also upgraded some of the mobile-X-ray scanning systems and Vehicle X-ray Inspection Systems with radioactive substance detection capabilities.
In order to speed up the clearance of cross-boundary vehicles, the Customs and Excise Department has installed and put into operation Automatic Vehicle Recognition System (AVRS) at the four vehicular land-boundary control points. With AVRS, the Department is able to achieve higher accuracy in clearance and reduce the average clearance time for each goods vehicle by three seconds.
(e) Rewards for information
To encourage the public to report smuggling, the Government offers rewards on information leading to the successful seizure of smuggled goods. The Government will review the reward schemes and adjust the scale as and when necessary.
(f) Enhanced co-operation with the tobacco, oil and pharmaceutical and copyright industries
Hong Kong Customs maintains close co-operation with the industries in the fight against illicit cigarette/fuel and pirated goods. Different reward schemes, funded by the tobacco and oil companies as well as pharmaceutical and copyright industries, and administered by the Customs, have been set up. These schemes offer reward to any person who provides information leading to the seizure of illicit cigarettes, illicit fuel, counterfeit or trade mark infringing pharmaceutical products, pirated business software, pirated optical discs, equipment used for the production of pirated optical discs, and infringing copies of copyright works being illegally photocopied or distributed.
(g) Increased liaison with the Mainland authorities and in
neighbouring areas
There is enhanced liaison with the Mainland authorities and the customs authorities in neighbouring areas to share information and intelligence. Apart from regular liaison meetings, parallel operations have been mounted both in Hong Kong and in the Mainland, and impressive results have been achieved. On 1 March 2000, Hong Kong Customs signed a Customs Co-operative Arrangement (CCA) with the Mainland Customs General Administration (CGA). The CCA provides a framework for both administrations to cooperate in the fight against smuggling and illicit trafficking of dangerous drugs, the protection of intellectual property rights, and the exchange of enforcement experience and training. At present, Hong Kong Customs have signed CCA with 17 customs administrations.
(h) One-Stop Information Hotline
With effect from January 2000, a central one-stop information hotline (2545 6182) is used to facilitate reporting of various customs offences.
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5. Meanwhile, the Customs and Excise Department maintains a close working relationship with the Mainland and overseas drug enforcement agencies through intelligence exchange and joint operations to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.