Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department will place greater emphasis on border operations this year to clamp down further on illegal transshipment of goods.
The department is reviewing its enforcement strategy with the results due in three months.
Head of Trade Controls Andrew Wong Ching-wai last week said while the department did not expect further resources or a budget increase, it would aim to deploy staff more efficiently and effectively in the war against contraband entering the SAR.
This would include better use of criminal intelligence and collation of information, as well as more efficient deployment of manpower on border checkpoints and in the field.
Mr Wong said previous efforts had been focused on factory operations, monitoring output and compliance with certification requirements.
Last year, customs officers conducted more than 36,000 checks and inspections of premises and goods consignments.
As a result, officers prosecuted 750 manufacturers and exporters of textiles for licensing and origin fraud and related offences under the Import and Export Ordinance.
