The Lhasa Customs is a local organ of the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China, and has under it the customs set up in Xigaze, Nyalam, Shiquanhe Town and Gyirong, plus a representative office set up in the Lhasa Postal Administration. With the approval of the PRC General Customs Administration, the Lhasa Customs has set up customs supervision stations in Chengdu of Sichuan Province and Golmud of Qinghai Province to examine goods imported for the autonomous region.The Lhasa Customs follows two kinds of tarriff: The Import and Export Tariff of Customs of the People's Republic of China, and the Methods of the Tibet Customs of the People's Republic of China on the Collection of Import Duties and its rules for implementation. With regard to imports for sale within the Tibet Autonomous Region, the Lhasa Customs collects taxes according to a list of 21 tax items and at a low tariff rate especially for the autonomous region. Goods approved for sale to other parts of China are taxed according to the national customs' tariff rate.

The bureau has set up branches in Zham, Chengdu of Sichuan Province and Golmud of Qinghai to inspect import and export goods.

There are more than 80 food hygiene supervision and inspection organs. Beginning June 1, 1992, food imported through ports of the Tibet Autonomous Region have to be inspected by the Lhasa Imported Food Hygiene Inspection Office of the People's Republic of China. Only food with an approval certificate issued by the Lhasa office can be sold in the autonomous region.

Under the office are four branches in Zham, Burang, Gyirong and Ritog. It also has checkpoimts at Lhasa Gonggar Ariport and the Lhasa International Postal Exchange Bureau.