Macau Customs Service

The Macau Customs Service (also known as Customs of Macao Special Administrative Region) is the official customs agency of the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China. It is responsible for enforcing customs law, preventing smuggling, supervising cross-border trade, and cooperating in regional and international customs matters.^[1]

Macau Customs Service

澳門海關 Serviços de Alfândega de Macau
Emblem of the Macau Customs Service
Customs agency overview
Formed	December 20, 2001; 23 years ago (2001-12-20)
Preceding Customs agency	Customs and Excise Service of Macau (under Portuguese rule)
Type	Law enforcement / Border control
Jurisdiction	Macau Special Administrative Region
Status	Active
Headquarters	Estrada da Ponte de Pac On, Macau 22.1880°N 113.5383°E / 22.1880; 113.5383
Secretary for Security responsible	Wong Sio Chak, Secretary for Security (Macau)
Customs agency executive	Adriano Marques Ho, Director-General of the Customs Service
Parent department	Macau Secretariat for Security
Website	www.customs.gov.mo

The agency operates under the jurisdiction of the Macau Secretariat for Security and is headed by the Director-General of Customs. It maintains checkpoints at Macau’s land borders, maritime ports, and airport, including the Border Gate, Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal, Macau International Airport, and the Macau Port Area of Hengqin Port.^[2][3]

The current structure of the Macau Customs Service was formally established on 20 December 2001, following the reorganization of border and customs services after the handover of Macau from Portugal to the People’s Republic of China in 1999.^[4]

History

The origins of Macau’s customs operations trace back to the Colonial era, with the establishment of the Harbour Police (Maritime Police) and Customs Police under Portuguese administration in the 19th century. Over time, these evolved into the Marine and Fiscal Police and later the Maritime and Fiscal Police in 1957.^[5]

On 20 December 1999, shortly after Macau's handover to China, the Marine Inspection Corps were renamed Maritime Inspection Bureau, remaining under the security command structure. This change marked the beginning of a transition in customs oversight under Macau’s new governance.^[6]

With the passage of Law No. 11/2001 on 6 August 2001, the Maritime Inspection Bureau was formally reorganized and renamed the Macau Customs Service. It officially began operations on 1 November 2001, taking over all previous customs and border control functions. This legal establishment also transferred responsibilities from the Economic Affairs Bureau and the Labour Affairs Bureau related to intellectual property enforcement and labour inspection to the new customs authority.^[7]

Since its formation, Macau Customs has continuously expanded its mandate in alignment with national and international obligations, such as intellectual property protection, anti-smuggling, cross-border monetary controls, and enforcing export control regulations.^[8]The organization also marked 6 November annually as “Customs Day,” commemorating its founding.^[9]

Today, the Macau Customs Service functions as a key law enforcement body under the Secretary for Security, enforcing customs legislation across Macau’s land, air, and maritime checkpoints.

Images

• Macau Customs Service in action
• 
  A Mazda patrol vehicle operated by Macau Customs Service.
• 
  Customs inspection signage at Taipa Ferry Terminal, a major maritime entry point.
• 
  Taipa Bridge, frequently patrolled by Macau Customs for vehicle inspections.
• 
  Customs enforcement post in the Islands District of Macau.