The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, yesterday (November 6) led a Hong Kong Customs delegation to Guangzhou for a two-day visit.
Yesterday afternoon, Mr Chan attended the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Co-operation (MoC) regarding the regulations of air-to-air transhipments of fresh fruits to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport via Hong Kong International Airport. Witnessed by Mr Chan; the Vice Mayor of the Guangzhou Municipal People's Government, Mr Zhang Rui; the Director General in Guangzhou Customs District, Mr Li Quan; the Deputy Director General of the Guangdong Sub-Administration of the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC), Mr Bi Kexin; the Director General of the Guangzhou Airport Economic Zone Management Committee, Mr Li Xiaodong; the Director General of the Guangzhou Municipal Commerce Bureau, Mr Wei Min; and the Director General in Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Customs House of Guangzhou Customs District, Ms Yao Mei, the Assistant Commissioner (Boundary and Ports) of Customs and Excise, Mr Lie Yan-ning, and the Deputy Director General in Guangzhou Customs District, Mr Zhuo Hantao, signed the MoC.
The signing of the MoC is to comply with the GACC's regulatory requirements for transhipment of fruits, which took effect in November 1, and to strengthen co-operation between the two customs authorities in facilitating the smooth air-to-air transhipment of fruits from Hong Kong to Guangzhou. Through an innovative regulatory model, Hong Kong Customs issues Certificates for Transhipment Confirmation to eligible fruit consignments, ensuring that the transhipments of fruits remain in their original packaging together with original phytosanitary certificates, thereby promoting the high-quality development of fruit trade in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
During the visit, Mr Chan met with the Director General in Guangzhou Customs District, Mr Li Quan, to exchange views on deepening collaboration between the two Customs administrations. The delegation also visited Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Conghua Racecourse to learn about how the Guangzhou Customs District applies smart technology in the clearance of passengers, air cargo as well as cross-boundary horses.
