China's customs revenue reached a record 758.46 billion yuan in 2007, up 24.3 percent year-on-year, the General Administration of Customs (GAC) said on Monday.

 

The customs revenue increased partly because of the increase of imports, which were up 20.5 percent to 865.5 billion U.S. dollars during the first 11 months of last year.

 

The customs revenue from telecommunication equipment, integrated circuits, television receivers and printing machines rose considerably due to the increase in imports of these products, the administration said.

 

More imports of high-end cars and SUVs, and rising prices of imported staple goods such as copper, nickel and other metals also contributed to the revenue rise, it explained.

 

The higher export tariffs on some goods, which were aimed at curbing exports and balancing foreign trade, had also increased customs revenues by about 20 billion yuan, it said.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 8, 2008)