HK, Shenzhen combat 'courier' activities

HONG KONG -- Hong Kong and Shenzhen customs launched a joint crackdown on "courier" passenger activities on September 7, Hong Kong Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok announced here Saturday, adding it will continue until the end of the year.

Briefing the media on Saturday, Lai said the two sides have set up a team to formulate strategy in combating such activities.

He said Hong Kong government is concerned about the congestion these "courier" passengers created at the boundaries, and the pressure they created at checkpoints. He believed order at the checkpoints will improve as the crackdown continues.

Hong Kong's Commissioner of Customs & Excise Clement Cheung said "courier" passengers are those who bring goods with tax differences between Hong Kong and the Mainland in their luggage from the Mainland to Hong Kong, or from Hong Kong to the Mainland.

Cheung said more people are participating in these activities, and the practice had become more frequent and more organized. It diverts customs' manpower and gives law-breakers an opportunity to traffic drugs and smuggle other goods.

He added these "courier" passengers increase the waiting time for Hong Kong residents and Mainland visitors at the boundaries. Their activities near the boundaries also affect the livelihood of people who live in North District.

Customs from both sides will cooperate and establsih a mechanism to coordinate detection of "courier" passengers activities.