Chinese Maritime Customs Service

The Chinese Maritime Customs Service was a Chinese gorvernmental tax collection agency and information service from its founding in 1854 until its division in 1950. Until 1912 it was named the Imperial Maritime Customs Service.

Related Topics:
Chinese - 1854 - 1912

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Largely staffed by Britons, the Service was controlled by Chinese central government throughout its history. It was founded by foreign traders in 1854 to collect maritime trade taxes that were going unpaid due to the inability of Chinese officials to collect them during the Taiping Rebellion. Its responsibilities soon grew to include domestic customs administration, postal administration, harbour and waterway management, weather reporting, and anti- smuggling operations. It mapped, lit, and policed the China coast and the Yangtze. It conducted loan negotiations, currency reform, and financial and economic management. The Service published monthly Returns of Trade, a regular series of Aids to Navigation and reports on weather and medical matters. It also represented China at over twenty world fairs and exhibitions, ran some educational establishments, and conducted some diplomatic activities.

Related Topics:
Taiping Rebellion - Yangtze

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1950 the last foreign Inspector-General resigned and the responsibilities of the Service were divided between what eventually became the Customs General Administration of the Peoples' Republic of China, and the Republic of China Directorate General of Customs on Taiwan. It was the only bureaucratic agency of the Chinese governnment to operate continuously as an integrated entity from 1842 to 1950.

Related Topics:
Peoples' Republic of China - Republic of China

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~