Colour codes: The Red and Green Channel System will be in place at all sea, land and air check points on November 1.

A new customs clearance system will be in place at all sea, land and air check points on November 1, and people coming into Hong Kong should pick the appropriate channel for customs declaration, the Customs & Excise Department says.

Under the Red & Green Channel System, passengers must go through the Red Channel to make a declaration to Customs officers if they have any prohibited or controlled goods, dutiable commodities not entitled to duty-free concession, or dutiable commodities exceeding the duty-free concession entitlement.

They should go through the Green Channel if they have dutiable goods within the duty-free concession entitlement or are not carrying dutiable goods or prohibited/controlled goods.

Red Channel users should produce a valid licence or permit for the prohibited/controlled goods, failing which they may be liable to prosecution. They should also pay the duty on the dutiable commodities in excess of their duty-free concession entitlement. They may choose to abandon such goods if they do not wish to pay the duty.

Green Channel users are liable to prosecution or penalty if they are found to have undeclared dutiable commodities in excess of their duty-free concession entitlement. They are also liable to prosecution and confiscation of the prohibited/controlled goods if they are found without a valid licence or permit.

Those using the Green Channel are not exempt from Customs examination. Customs officers will, based on risk management, select passengers passing through the Green Channel for baggage examination at a customs clearance cubicle.

Details of the Red & Green Channel System, duty-free concessions and the list of common prohibited or controlled goods are available here. For enquiries, call the Customs hotline, 2815 7711.