Customs disciplined officers will carry a newly-designed smart warrant card starting from July 1.

Speaking at a briefing on the new warrant card today (June 26), the Staff Officer (Service Administration), Mr Lau Tak-choi, said, ¡§The roll-out of the new Smart Warrant Card aims to tie in with the development of the Customs and Excise Department.¡¨

¡§With increased computerisation in the Department, the introduction of the Smart Warrant Card can help streamline procedures and enhance operational efficiency. Besides, it paves the way for the use of the card at the new Customs Headquarters Building scheduled to be completed in 2010,¡¨ Mr Lau added.

The Smart Warrant Card has various forgery-proof features, including security marks (Departmental logos) on the front, an ultraviolet-fluorescent label on the back, and an implanted chip. These features can help ensure efficient and reliable identification of the card-holders.

Applied with advanced cryptographic technology, the new card is well protected from fraudulent alteration.

Made of polyvinylchloride (PVC), the new card is in greenish yellow colour with the Customs logo more prominent on the top.

If members of the public have any questions in relation to the new Smart Warrant Card, please call 2852 3185.

Photograph shows the front of a smart warrant card sample. The design of the front of the card is the same for the cards carried by uniformed and plain-clothes officers.

Photograph shows the back of a sample of smart warrant card for uniformed officers.

Photograph shows the back of a sample of smart warrant card for plain-clothes officers.

Ends/Thursday, June 26, 2008