The Old Site of Zhejiang Customs Museum

The Old Site of Zhejiang Customs Museum

Zhejiang Customs was established in the 24th year of the Kangxi reign during the Qing Dynasty (1685), and was one of the four customs in old China at that time. After the "Opening of the Five Ports to Trade," Ningbo set up the Maritime Customs of Zhejiang under the control of the Inspectorate General of Customs in 1861. Zhejiang Customs gradually became a semi-colonial and semi-feudal customs institution until the liberation in 1949.

The Old Site of Zhejiang Customs is one of the earlier and outstanding examples of modern architecture along Ningbo’s Bund. Built in the 11th year of the Xianfeng reign during the Qing Dynasty (1861), it is a three-story brick building with an outer corridor. The exterior retains the simple and bright style of traditional Chinese architecture, and the total construction area is 1,067.8 square meters.

Zhejiang Customs was among the earliest institutions in China to possess the basic functions of a modern customs, serving as a historical witness to the early development of Chinese customs and holding significant historical and cultural value.

In 2005, it was designated as a Zhejiang Provincial-level Cultural Relics Protection Unit, and in 2008, the Old Site of Zhejiang Customs Museum was established.