The term "joint-lock warehouses" refers to import and export warehouses which are managed by Customs and are jointly locked and unlocked by the warehouse operators and the Customs.The warehouse operators may choose the joint-lock for the warehouses and submit the lock to the Customs for confirmation. A duplicate set of keys shall be stored in a proper place within the warehouse premises for immediate use in the event of fire or other emergency incidents. 
The term "Warehouse" means a storage facility duly approved and registered with the Customs to hold goods for import, export, trans-shipment or transit which are pending for Customs release. Warehouses can be classified into the following two categories: import warehouse and export warehouse. Unless otherwise authorized by the Customs, warehouses shall be located within the restricted areas of international harbors and international airports.
Import warehouse shall contain special storage sections for damaged and valuable goods.  The requirement also applies to the import, export and transit warehouses in a container terminal.
All goods stored inside a "Warehouse" shall be positioned with labels facing up and piled up by batch in the respective sections where they should belong. Identifying signs shall be posted on the walls of each respective area for clear identification. This requirement is not applicable to computer-controlled automatic warehouses approved by the Customs or special warehouses approved for the storage of bulk cargo, such as oil tank or silo.
The opening hours for admitting the imported goods discharged from a vessel into the warehouses and withdrawing Customs-released export goods from the warehouse is from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., daily, except on holidays. While, the admission of export goods and withdrawal of Customs-released import goods are only available during Customs office hours, unless otherwise approved by the Customs to extend the time limit under special circumstances.
The warehouse operator is required to provide an office room with office desk, telephone line(s), computer(s), and other office equipment for the necessary work of the stationed Customs officer or the Customs auditor, and is also required to provide the transportation for the stationed Customs officer. Moreover, the warehouse operator is obliged to pay the pertinent Customs regulatory fees and charges.