The customs is the authorities to supervise and control the whole process of import and export. It is subordinate to the national administrative system. It exercises independent administrative management right both domestic and abroad on behalf of the nation. 海关是国家的进出关境管理机关，从属于国家行政管理体制，对内对外代表国家依法独立行使行政管理权。

　　The customs carries out its function of supervising the administrative systems of the nation; it is an important part of the national management. 海关履行国家行政制度的监督职能，是国家管理的一个重要组成部分。

　　The scope that the customs carries out its function of supervision and control is the inhound and outbound or some relational activities; the subjects it supervises on are all the inbound and outbound vehicles, instrument, cargo and articles. 海关实施监督管理的范围是进出关境及与之有关的活动，实施监督管理的对象是所有进出关境的运输、工具、货物、物品。

　　The basic four tasks of the customs are supervision and control, collection of tax, suppress smuggling and auditting. 海关的四项基本任务是：监管、征税、缉私和统计。

　　What rights can the customs enjoy? 海关能够行使的权利是什么？

　　Right of search. The customs has the right to inspect the inbound and outbound vehicles; search the smuggling suspect vehicles and the places where smuggling stuff might be hidden and search the suspects in the coastal areas. 检察权。检查进出境运输工具；在海关监管区和海关附近沿海沿边规定地区，检查有走私嫌疑的运输工具和有藏匿走私货物、物品嫌疑的场所，检查走私嫌疑人。

　　Right of retention. The customs has right to detain the vehicles, imported or exported articles with violate the customs law, administration regulations or some relational laws. 扣留权。对违反海关法或者其他有关法律、行政法规的进出境运输工具、进出境货物、物品有权扣留。