Breaking: Multiple Customs Seize Undeclared Export Cargo

Recently, Shenzhen Customs has uncovered two consecutive cases of export cargo misdeclaration. The two consignments, totalling 22.54 tonnes, are both food products subject to mandatory export inspection.

During inspection of an export consignment declared as "toilet rolls and wet wipes", Shekou Customs found that, besides the declared goods, the container concealed a large quantity of undeclared beverages including iced black tea and rock sugar pear drinks. The undeclared food weighed 3.52 tonnes after stocktaking.

In another inspection, an export shipment was declared as "toys". After officers opened the container, no declared toys were found inside. Instead, the full container was loaded with undeclared liquid candy, weighing 19.02 tonnes.

Unlike the first consignment with concealed food items, the second shipment had a declared description completely inconsistent with the actual goods, constituting full-container misdeclaration.

At present, both consignments involved in the case have been lawfully detained by Customs, and the cases are under further investigation.

Customs reminds that the food products in question are commodities subject to mandatory export inspection. Inspection and quarantine declarations must be completed in accordance with regulations prior to export.

Misdeclaration, concealed cargo and false description of goods are generally deemed evasion of import and export commodity inspection, which may result in a fine of 5% to 20% of the cargo value. Cases involving repeated, long-term or deliberate evasion of commodity inspection may be escalated to criminal proceedings.

Ningbo Customs Seizes Large Shipment of Illicit Cigarettes

Recently, officers from Beilun Customs, a subsidiary of Ningbo Customs, inspected an export consignment declared as "casual shoes" and "cups". They found a large quantity of undeclared cigarettes and tobacco shreds tightly wrapped in layers inside the container. After tallying, the seizure totalled 1,428 cartons of cigarettes and 4,659 kilograms of tobacco shreds.

The shipment has been detained by Customs and will be transferred to the relevant authorities for follow-up handling.

Transshipment Misdeclaration Detected

Recently, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Customs, under Gongbei Customs, seized 331,400 cigarettes concealed in an export transshipment consignment originating from another location.

At the outbound cargo inspection yard of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Zhuhai Highway Port, customs officers conducted an X-ray inspection on a truck carrying export transshipment goods from another place. Abnormal images were spotted in parts of the vehicle, prompting a physical inspection.

Upon further examination of the goods, officers found that the sides and top inside the cartons were filled with commodities matching the descriptions on the outer packaging. No irregularities could be detected if the carton was opened from any side. Careful follow-up inspection revealed grooves hollowed out among the goods, which were stuffed with cigarettes individually packed in opaque plastic bags. After tallying, a total of 1,657 cartons of cigarettes covering 23 brands including Chunghwa, Double Happiness and Liqun were seized, amounting to 331,400 cigarettes in total.