Trade Controls

The Trade Controls Branch of the Customs and Excise Department is
responsible for enforcing legislation relating to certification of origin,
textiles import and export control, strategic commodities control and trade
declarations.

Maintaining the integrity of these systems is vital to the well-being of
Hong Kong's export business. The branch works closely with the Trade
Department to combat false declarations of origin and values of goods,
illegal transshipment of textiles and illicit trade in strategic commodities.
This is done through factory and consignment inspections, investigations
and prosecutions. In 1997, the branch carried out 94 767 factory and
consignment inspections and 3 352 investigations. It successfully
prosecuted 1 791 offenders, resulting in the imposition of fines amounting
to $50.38 million.

To enhance enforcement, the branch deploys a task force to target
suspect shipments and operates a monetary reward scheme to encourage
members of the public to give information about textiles origin fraud.

The branch is also responsible for monitoring the stock of reserved
commodities and for enforcing consumer protection legislation relating to
weights and measures and the safety of toys, children's products and
consumer goods. The stock of reserved commodities is monitored to
ensure that there is always an adequate supply of essential foodstuffs
such as rice in Hong Kong. The branch's functions in consumer
protection, apart from carrying spot checks and investigations to ensure
the safety of toys, children's products and consumer goods on sale in
Hong Kong, are to protect consumers from fraudulent or unfair trading
practices in connection with quantities, weights and measures, and to
regulate the correct marking of gold and platinum. In 1997, it carried out
6 126 spot checks and 1 308 investigations.

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