Guangzhou, December 9 - The 16th Asian Games, part of the worldwide Olympic movement and governed by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has today released official customs clearance information for the 2010 Asian Games and Asian Para Games.

GAGOC and Guangzhou Customs hold a press conference.

The 16th Asian Games will be the first time for Mainland China to host a large-scale international equestrian event. In accordance with the special requirements of the entry and exit of horses, Guangzhou Customs will work closely with other departments of the port and provide specific supervision services for the customs clearance of horses and equipment to ensure smooth entry and exit of them.

In addition, the new Guide to Customs Clearance for Materials for Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games was formulated by China Customs in accordance with the requirements of customs clearance for the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games and Asian Para Games.

It contains specifications on the customs clearance of temporarily admitted materials, leased materials, inward materials exempted from duties and/or taxes, inward and outward materials requiring special approval as prescribed by law as well as incoming materials carried by individuals.

The Guangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee (GAGOC) will take the lead in handling the incoming and outgoing Games materials and shall supply a valid security platform for duties and/or taxes of incoming Games materials and issue a Letter of Certificate for Inward Materials for Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games and Asian Para Games.

China Customs will inspect and verify the Letter of Certificate for Inward Materials for Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games and Asian Para Games and go through the customs clearance formalities for the materials, increasing the efficiency of the customs clearance for Games materials.

Mr Chen Xiaoying, Deputy Director General of Guangzhou Customs, said that Guangzhou Customs will continue to support the Asian Games and Asian Para Games through a variety of services, including:

Setting up an Asian Games and Asian Para Games customs clearance supervision and service section on the official website of Guangzhou Customs, which will contain The Guide and relevant procedures of supervision as well as a telephone hotline for consultation;

Specifying supervision and service measures and opening an exclusive "window" for the customs clearance for Games materials, providing a Green Passage for incoming and outgoing Games materials;

Setting up exclusive passages at major entry/exit ports such as Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and Guangzhou East Railway Station for participants of the Games to go through customs clearance formalities;

Enhancing communication with other customs districts and adopting a special mode of customs clearance for incoming and outgoing Games materials, which will be sealed at ports and inspected and cleared at destinations;

Strengthening protection of Games-related intellectual property rights;

Improving the mechanism of emergency response and ensuring the safety of inward and outward persons and materials.

(Wang Lei and Jeff Ruffolo) (The End)