e-Customs Development

The rapid innovation and information technologies and emerging e-commerce environment are gearing the department to evolve into an e-Customs organisation.

Since the early 80's, the department has been adopting information technology in difference areas of Customs works to make the operation and enforcement both efficiently and effectively, and to provide high-quality services to the community.

To date, the department not only achieves in providing an automated office environment for all the staff in their daily office routines, the department has also adopted an information systems strategy, which provides the blueprint for IT development in meeting future challenges.

Information Systems Strategy

The Information Systems Strategy Study completed in early 2003 recommends an information systems strategy that consists of 3 phases of IT projects, with the 1st phase began in mid-2004.

The Phase I projects, which consolidate various intelligence data kept by the operational and investigation units and provide the necessary functionality supporting risk management and assessment on all operational fronts, were completed in 2005.

A study on the implementation approach of the Phase II & III projects was conducted between October 2005 and September 2006 to review the business requirements and provide a design blueprint for the department to put in place new IT systems and infrastructure in coping with the upcoming operational needs and providing a scalable environment to support future expansion and new initiatives.  Subject to funding approval, the phase II & III projects are tentatively scheduled for implementation between July 2009 and June 2013.

Electronic Systems in Trade Facilitation

The department is steering towards the facilitation and promotion of e-business via the development of electronic systems for submission of certain trade documents.  Followed the mandatory electronic submission of the air and rail manifest in July 2004, the government made the electronic submission of manifest for water mode compulsory via the electronic system for cargo manifest (EMAN) on 16 June 2006.
The department is now working towards the Electronic Advance Cargo Information (e-ACI) project which aims at establishing an electronic system for submitting and processing advance electronic cargo information to facilitate the swift traffic flow at the Land Boundary Control Points without compromising Customs’ capability in processing the voluminous cargoes.  The target roll out date is in late 2009.

Land Boundary System (LBS)

The Land Boundary System (LBS) was upgraded in July 2005 to pave way for the commissioning of the fourth Land Boundary Control Point with Customs clearance facilities for passengers and vehicles, namely Shenzhen Bay Port at Shekou of the Mainland.  The system also catered for the Personalized Vehicle Registration Marks Scheme in the intake of the vehicle number for the vehicle-crossing record.

Air Cargo Clearance System (ACCS)

The use of mobile technology in the Air Cargo Clearance System (ACCS), which was first introduced in the “DHL Central Asia Hub” in 2004, has been extended to other cargo terminals including the new Asia Airfreight Terminal.  Under the wireless LAN environment, Customs officers can enquire the latest information of consignments in ACCS via Personal Digital Assistants.  It has greatly enhanced the mobility of officers of the department in air cargo clearance.

First Registration Tax (FRT) System

The FRT System was developed in 1994 to assist the Motor Vehicles Valuation Group (MVVG) to assess and store the taxable value of imported vehicles by making reference to the current market price. To upgrade the System, a $4.3 million worth project has been kicked off since September 2006. The project is expected to complete in July 2007.

Computer Facilities for New Control Points and Customs Facilities

The department is at present actively involved in the preparation for the provision of computer facilities and IT equipment to support the customs' operation at Tuen Mun Cross Boundary Ferry Terminal, Asia Airfreight Terminal 2, SkyPlaza, Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau Spur Line and Shenzhen Bay Port.  It is expected that the new control points and customs facilities will be commissioned for operation between late 2006 and mid 2007.

Computer Forensic Laboratory (CFL)

In June 2006, Computer Forensic Laboratory of the department (CFL) became the first among its counterparts in the service acquiring international recognized qualifications.  The qualifications awarded to CFL were the International Certificate on Quality Management System (ISO9001) and International Certificate on Information Security Management System (BS7799).

In the wake of the importance of collection of electronic evidence to investigations, especially those of cases of intellectual property rights, the department set up the CFL at the end of 2000 which is designated to collect, store and analyze electronic evidence as well as produce exhibits in courts.

A set of codes conforming to the international standards of ISO9001 and BS7799 was successfully developed by CFL in about two years’ time under the guidance of the consultancy “Hong Kong Productivity Council”.  Its management was finally recognized as one which reached the international standards of ISO9001 and BS7799 upon a large number of inspections and interviews conducted by Société Générale de Survillance (SGS) Hong Kong Limited.  With the certificates issued by SGS Hong Kong Limited, CFL becomes the first agency among those of other departments which was awarded with ISO9001 and BS7799 certificates.

Coupling with the ISO 9001 and BS 7799 accreditations, the high-level security and sound management of the information system in CFL can further enhance the credibility of the department and the recognition of the professional advice provided by our forensic staff in courts.

Furthermore, such awards also signify the department’s commitments to the general public.  As Acting Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr. Wong Sau-pui said in the award ceremony, “We will preserve the department’s professionalism by acting with confidence, serving with courtesy and striving for excellence.  Moreover, we will continue to provide quality service to the general public with dedication and determination to excel.”

Director of SGS Hong Kong Limited, Mr. Tsang Wai-ming, stressed in his speech, “The certification is a proof of the restless effort of CFL staff, a manifestation of C&ED’s determination to promote sustainable development, its insistence on the provision of quality service and its commitment to the general public.”

Since its establishment in 2000, CFL had dealt with a total of 316 cases, in which 426 computers and 1 278 CD replicators were involved, with their nature ranging from CD replication, internet piracy (including the first case of illegal on-line distribution of copyrighted films using the Bit Torrent technology) to money laundering.