The Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department[1] (C&ED; commonly known as the Hong Kong Customs) is the customs service of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The agency was established to protect Hong Kong from smuggling, ensure the collection of duties on taxable goods, detect and prevent drug trafficking and abuse, safeguard intellectual property rights, protect consumer interests, facilitate legitimate business and uphold Hong Kong's trade reputation, regulate money service operators and dealers in precious metals and stones, and combat money laundering and terrorist financing.[2]