Customs are about to take three measures to reinforce the effort against smuggling nationwide, Sheng Guangzu, deputy director of the General Administration of Customs, told a press conference in Beijing September 5, 2002.

The first measure is to announce a list of the businesses that have convicted illegal criminal smuggling with valuation fraud.

Following are some of the illegal criminal smuggling businesses which have been seized by the Customs recently and have already been given court decisions:

Beijing Daqi Medical Appliance Co. Ltd.

Hainan Jingping Trade Co. Ltd.

Guangdong Honghua Economic and Technological Co. Ltd.

Dongguan Chain Chemical Co. Ltd.

Shantou Second Light Industrial Free Trade Company

Some of those businesses suspected of illegal criminal smuggling which have been seized by the Customs recently and are being transferred according to judicial proceedings for prosecution:

Zhuhai Shinning Gold Oil & Fats Industry Co. Ltd.

Tianjin Juhan Co. Ltd.

Foshan General Overseas & Trade Co. Ltd.

Qingyuan Detong Trade Co. Ltd.

Guangzhou Pearl River Chemical Industry Group Ltd.

Shenzhen Aquatic Products Company

Shenzhen Yunfeiyang Industry Co. Ltd.

Manzhouli Jinxiang Economic and Trade Co. Ltd.

Linbo Feisuoli Packing International Co. Ltd.

Zhuhai Lingnan Industrial Products Imp. & Exp. Co.

All the above companies have been put into the "black list" of Customs throughout the country for focal supervision and control. This means that those companies, declaring to whatever Customs at whatever port of entry in the country, will be locked automatically by the Customs for special supervision and control, Sheng said.

The second measure is to announce again telephone numbers of the General Administration of Customs and local Customs districts throughout the country for reporting against valuation fraud.

Customs welcome people from all trades, especially the law-abiding import and export businesses, acting from the height of being responsible for the country and the people as well as from the view of self-protection of their own legitimate operations, stand up bravely to fight against the illegal criminal activities of duty evasion with valuation fraud. "You can report by calling us, by writing letters or simply by coming to us. For those who have given meritorious reporting, Customs will reward with handsome awards according to relative state stipulations," Sheng said.

The third measure is to launch a special campaign against duty related cases nationwide once again from now on till the end of this year.

Customs nationwide will use comprehensively the rights of auditing, administrative and criminal investigation entitled by the Customs Law to fight pertinently against the smuggling activity of valuation fraud, with a special focus on the smuggling activity of "document laundry."

If necessary, Customs will use international Customs administrative mutual assistance agreements to carry out transnational anti-fraud investigation into big and important cases suspected of valuation fraud, working together with overseas Customs to fight against valuation fraud, according to Sheng.

"At the same time, we will enhance our comprehensive management on anti-valuation fraud, further improve comprehensive anti-smuggling management mechanism, strengthen our communication and coordination with relative competent departments, law enforcement and judicial departments, and reinforce our cooperation with such agencies as industry and commerce, taxation, foreign exchange and banks so as to form a joint force against valuation fraud," Sheng said. "We will also cooperate actively with transnational companies, state-owned big and medium-sized businesses and intermediary agencies to fight with joint effort against smuggling with valuation fraud. We will set up model companies with high credibility and good record of self-compliance to promote facilitation with compliance'."

(China.org.cn September 5, 2002)