Deal sealed: Commissioner of Customs & Excise Richard Yuen and Commissioner of Korea Customs Service Seong Yun-kap.

Commissioner of Customs & Excise Richard Yuen has signed a co-operation pact with Commissioner of Korea Customs Service Seong Yun-kap at an annual meeting between the two administrations today.

They agreed to continue with the immediate notification mechanism for prompt intelligence exchange to combat transnational customs offences, including drug trafficking, cigarette smuggling and intellectual property rights infringements.

Mr Yuen said the mechanism has proved to be effective and efficient in responding promptly to customs offences, and added they have successfully intercepted two containers of illicit cigarettes worth US$2.4 million.

The two sides will also strengthen co-operation in intellectual property rights protection, expertise exchange, and organise training and reciprocal visits.

Mr Seong is leading a six-member delegation to attend the 27th Customs Co-operation Conference in Hong Kong.