Minister Yu Guangzhou Meets Executive Chair of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs of the U.K.

05/15/2016

On May 10, Miniter Yu Guangzhou and Vice Minister Sun Yibiao of the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) met with Mr. Edward Troup, Executive Chair of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) of the U.K.. Both sides gave positive reviews to the customs cooperation between the two countries, and spoke highly of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters between GACC and HMRC signed in October last year.

Minister Yu suggested to enhance China and the U.K. customs cooperation on four aspects. Firstly, the two sides should promote the 3Mcooperation (mutual recognition of control, mutual assistance of enforcement, and mutual exchange of information), through the implementation of the MOU, and hold the Joint Working Group Meeting as soon as possible. Secondly, the two Customs should carry out key cooperation projects such as AEO, Smart and Secure Trade Lane, and port twinning to strengthen trade facilitation. Thirdly, both sides should step up enforcement cooperation in combating tobacco smuggling and illicit transit of counterfeit tobacco. Fourthly, the two sides should carry out risk management cooperation through experience exchange regarding risk analysis of bill of ladings, and start the discussion on a working mechanism to exchange risk data.

Mr. Troup agreed with Minister Yu’s suggestions, and said that HMRC placed great importance on the implementation of the MOU, and would continue the comprehensive cooperation with China Customs in enforcement and trade facilitation.