China plans to impose harsher punishments on customs officials who are found to breach the customs rules, according to the latest penalty rules published on the website of the Ministry of Supervision on April 17.

The new rules state that customs staff who participate in, shield or condone smuggling operations will immediately be discharged from office.

Under existing customs regulations, staff who shield smuggling operations aren't dismissed until the case becomes especially serious, for example, actively helping smugglers evade the law.

The new rules, jointly released by the General Administration of Customs, the Ministry of Supervision and the Ministry of Human Resource and Social Security, establishes 27 terms of disciplinary violations and corresponding punishments under 11 categories.

Staff members who impart information allowing smugglers to evade or get round customs checks will also be fired, according to the rules. The rules come into effect on May 1.