Ⅰ Revenue Collection

One of Customs' primary missions is revenue collection. Other government agencies also entrust Customs to collect various taxes and fees, such as commodity tax, specifically selected goods tax, business tax, tobacco and alcohol taxes, trade promotion fee, health and welfare surcharge, among others. Furthermore, Customs enforces economic and trade controls following national policies and international conventions. Customs' operations are closely linked to people's daily lives; its performance has great impact on national economic development and international trade.
Most of the imported goods going through Keelung Customs (KLC) are groceries, electrical appliances, automobiles, instrument components, and machinery and mechanical equipment, featuring high tax rates, high prices, and large quantities. The majority of exported goods through KLC are electrical equipment, machinery and mechanical appliances, base metals and articles thereof, and so on.
In 2023, KLC’s total tariff revenue was approximately NT$87.7 billion, accounting for 57.48% of national tariff revenue; the total taxes and fees collected on behalf of other government agencies were approximately NT$186.5 billion, the highest among four field Customs offices.

Ⅱ Anti-smuggling Operations

Illegal smuggling causes revenue loss, sabotages public order, hinders economic development, and jeopardizes national security. As a result, anti-smuggling has always been listed high on Customs' priority missions. Statistics shows that 1,365 seizures were made in 2023, totaling NT$0.82 billion. Operations to counter illegal smuggling are described as follows:

1.Offshore Patrol:

Anti-smuggling vessels "CP-10001" is deployed at Keelung Port; "Hai-qing" and "Hai-en" are deployed at Hualien and Suao Ports to patrol in adjacent waters.

2.Onshore Monitoring:

KLC dispatches inspectors at Keelung Port, Taipei Port, Hualien Port, Suao Port, Hualien Hoping Industrial Zone, Fuao Port and Baisha Port in Matsu, and other locations to patrol and monitor the loading, unloading, and moving of containers and cargos in port areas round-the-clock.

3.Container and Cargo Inspection:

KLC monitors containers entering and exiting container terminals on the east and west banks of Keelung Port. It adopts risk management approaches to pinpoint suspicious containers. Starting from January 1, 2011, KLC began deploying X-ray inspection equipment at Keelung Port and Taipei Port. By scanning containers and goods with non-intrusive inspection (NII) equipment, Customs can identify suspicious items inside the containers without physically examining them. Aside from saving manpower, NII equipment can also reduce chances of goods damage, lower the cost and shorten the time for Customs clearance.

4.Maritime Express

Maritime express handling units mainly provide Customs clearance for maritime express shipments from Mainland China, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Japan. Currently, over 90% of the shipments are from Mainland China. Stakeholders can enjoy lowered cost and shortened time for Customs clearance thanks to cargo pre-declaration, real-name authentication, X-ray inspection for every consignment, and automated conveyors. In addition, the cooperation with drug detector dog teams, quarantine detector dog teams, and law enforcement agencies like police and coast guard units help actively intercept smuggled controlled items such as drugs, controlled knives, meat products infected with African swine fever, mushrooms from Mainland China, electronic cigarettes, counterfeits, fake and banned medicine, and so on, to ensure national security and fast and convenient clearance services for stakeholders.

5.Baggage Inspection

KLC is responsible for baggage inspection and declaration for inbound and outbound passengers, crew members and staff at Keeling Port, Taipei Port, Hualien Port, Suao Port, Fuao and Baisha Ports in Matsu, and Hualien Airport.

6.Drug Detection

KLC has added drug detector dog teams to its enforcing power since July 25, 2011. The teams are highly mobile; they can fulfill duties at different sites such as harbors and airports, container terminals, or aboard vessels, etc. to inspect inbound and outbound passengers’ luggage, cargos and postal parcels. The teams also support other Customs units when it is necessary.