Abstract: The Customs Commissioner was an official post established by Emperor Yongzheng to manage local customs. It began in Zhejiang province in the fourth year of the Yongzheng Reign, and was extended to Fujian, Hunan, and Guangdong provinces. By the eleventh year of the Yongzheng reign, all of these officers were abolished. The position of customs commissioner was distinguished by several characteristics. Commissioners were only appointed in a limited number of provinces; the duration of their postings was short, and the number of commissioners was few. The powers held by commissioners were different in different jurisdictions, the post was a temporary imperial assignment and the commissioners acted somewhat as local official. The last point caused contradictions between custom commissioners and local high officials, and that was the main reason why the post was ineffective and ultimately abolished.