EU-China Cooperation in Tobacco Sector EU-China Cooperation in Tobacco Sector

EU-China Cooperation in Tobacco Sector Taxes and duties levied on cigarettes are key source of public revenue in both EU and in China Taxes and duties levied on cigarettes are key source of public revenue in both EU and in China Cigarette smuggling and trade in counterfeit cigarettes are a problem both EU and China share Cigarette smuggling and trade in counterfeit cigarettes are a problem both EU and China share Illegal trade in cigarettes is linked to international organised crime organisations Illegal trade in cigarettes is linked to international organised crime organisations

OLAF Liaison Office in China: First OLAF officer posted overseas First OLAF officer posted overseas Started in September 2008 Started in September 2008 Based at the EU Delegation in Beijing Based at the EU Delegation in Beijing Principal task of the OLAF liaison officer is to develop cooperation with the Chinese authorities with a view to assist both parties in combating the trade in contraband and counterfeit cigarettes. Principal task of the OLAF liaison officer is to develop cooperation with the Chinese authorities with a view to assist both parties in combating the trade in contraband and counterfeit cigarettes. Reports to the Task Group Cigarettes at OLAF Reports to the Task Group Cigarettes at OLAF

Task Group Cigarettes: TGC (OLAF Unit B3) is responsible for investigations and operations in the customs area concerning the illegal trade in cigarettes in cooperation with the specialist Services of the Member States and third countries. Our objective is to assist the national authorities to detect, prevent and investigate fraud in relation to cigarettes, and thus to ensure the recovery of any taxes and duties evaded and the prosecution of the people behind the frauds. The Unit comprises a Head of Unit, 12 investigators and a Secretariat. TGC (OLAF Unit B3) is responsible for investigations and operations in the customs area concerning the illegal trade in cigarettes in cooperation with the specialist Services of the Member States and third countries. Our objective is to assist the national authorities to detect, prevent and investigate fraud in relation to cigarettes, and thus to ensure the recovery of any taxes and duties evaded and the prosecution of the people behind the frauds. The Unit comprises a Head of Unit, 12 investigators and a Secretariat.

Presence of foreign law enforcement agencies in China Customs Attaché Club: European Union: BE, DE, DK, FI, FR, IT, NL, OLAF and UK Third Countries: AU, IS, KO, KZ, JP, NZ, PA, RU, and US

Presence foreign law enforcement agencies in China Foreign Law Enforcement Community in China (FLECC): European Union: DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GR, IT, NL, OLAF and UK Third Countries: AU, CA, IS, JP, KO, NZ, PA, PH, RU, TH and US

Main cooperation partners China Customs (GACC) China Customs (GACC) Anti-smuggling Bureau of GACC Anti-smuggling Bureau of GACC State Tobacco Monopoly Administration State Tobacco Monopoly Administration Ministry of Public Security Ministry of Public Security

EU-China cooperation in tobacco sector: Mutual Assistance Requests Mutual Assistance Requests Exchange of Information Exchange of Information Investigations, inquiries and reporting Investigations, inquiries and reporting Support in inspections Support in inspections Intelligence data gathering and analysis Intelligence data gathering and analysis Cooperation with Member States and other organisations Cooperation with Member States and other organisations

Mutual Assistance Requests Facilitate Mutual Assistance Requests between EU and China Facilitate Mutual Assistance Requests between EU and China

Investigations, inquiries and reporting To provide intelligence and to facilitate international cooperation with the Chinese authorities in support of the Office's operational activities. Priority in practical case work To provide intelligence and to facilitate international cooperation with the Chinese authorities in support of the Office's operational activities. Priority in practical case work

Support in inspections In cooperation with the Chinese and other authorities, assist to investigate complex and sensitive cases, using all available resources to achieve the identification of contraband and counterfeit traffic destined to EU, China or elsewhere and the prosecution of persons involved in major offences In cooperation with the Chinese and other authorities, assist to investigate complex and sensitive cases, using all available resources to achieve the identification of contraband and counterfeit traffic destined to EU, China or elsewhere and the prosecution of persons involved in major offences

Intelligence data gathering and analysis Create and maintain Intelligence pathways. Create and maintain Intelligence pathways. Gather and share intelligence in liaison with the host authorities Gather and share intelligence in liaison with the host authorities Maintain regular contacts and exchanges of information with enforcement agencies, and other relevant bodies in the host country and the region, on matters related to their area of responsibility. Maintain regular contacts and exchanges of information with enforcement agencies, and other relevant bodies in the host country and the region, on matters related to their area of responsibility. Keep contacts with relevant representatives of cigarette manufacturers which have an Agreement with the EC. Keep contacts with relevant representatives of cigarette manufacturers which have an Agreement with the EC.

Mutual assistance legal basis Customs and Anti-Smuggling Bureau: Agreement on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters Customs and Anti-Smuggling Bureau: Agreement on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters Police, Tobacco Monopoly: No agreements yet. Cooperation possible when the national legislation allows it. Police, Tobacco Monopoly: No agreements yet. Cooperation possible when the national legislation allows it.

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