Red and Green Channel System to take effect tomorrow

Starting from tomorrow (November 1), incoming passengers are required to select an appropriate channel for customs declaration, that is, either the "Red Channel" or the "Green Channel" when they arrive at the Customs clearance area at all sea, land and air control points.

Under the new customs clearance mode, the Red and Green Channel System, passengers have to go through the Red Channel to make a declaration to Customs officers if they have:

• any prohibited/controlled goods;
• dutiable commodities not entitled to duty-free concession; or
• dutiable commodities exceeding the duty-free concession entitlement.

They must go through the Green Channel if they have:

• dutiable goods within the duty-free concession entitlement; or
• neither dutiable goods nor prohibited/controlled goods.

Passengers at the Red Channel are required to:

• produce a valid licence or permit for the prohibited/controlled goods, failing which they may be liable to prosecution;
• pay the duty on the dutiable commodities in excess of their duty free concession entitlement. They may also choose to abandon such goods if they do not wish to pay the duty.

At the Green Channel, passengers are liable to:

• prosecution/penalty if they are found to have undeclared dutiable commodities in excess of their duty free concession entitlement;
• prosecution and confiscation of the prohibited/controlled goods if any of them are without a valid licence/permit.

Those using the "Green Channel" are not exempt from Customs examination. Customs officers will, based on risk management, select passengers passing through the Green Channel for baggage examination at a Customs Clearance Cubicle. A passenger found with an excessive quantity of dutiable commodities or any prohibited/controlled goods not covered by a valid licence/permit may be liable to prosecution or penalty.

A spokesman for the Customs and Excise Department said today (October 31) that the system served a threefold aim ?to facilitate passenger clearance, to enhance revenue protection, and to bring Hong Kong into line with international practice. In view of the effectiveness of the system, the World Customs Organization recommends that customs administrations worldwide adopt this customs clearance mode.

The public can obtain details of the Red and Green Channel System, duty free concession and the list of common prohibited/controlled goods on the Hong Kong Customs website at http://www.customs.gov.hk/ or by calling the Customs enquiry hotline at 2815 7711. They can also refer to promotional leaflets available at all control points.

Ends/Monday, October 31, 2005