A woman from the mainland was arrested on Tuesday at Gongbei border checkpoint for trying to take HK$7.58 million in undeclared cash from Macau to Zhuhai earlier that day, according to a statement by Gongbei Customs yesterday.
The statement said that it was the largest non-yuan currency smuggling case in recent years.
According to the statement, the woman surnamed Lai was carrying two large bags through the travellers’ inspection hall at the checkpoint on Tuesday.
The statement pointed that Lai did not submit a customs declaration when entering the hall. Gongbei customs officers discovered “abnormal images” when the bags went through a scanner. The officers intercepted Lai and discovered that the two large black bags she was carrying contained dozens of stacks of HK$1,000 notes in cash totalling HK$7.58 million.
Lai has been fined by Gongbei Customs for trying to take a large amount of undeclared non-yuan currency into the mainland, the statement said. The statement did not reveal the amount of the fine.
The statement pointed out that according to national regulations, anyone entering the mainland with cash exceeding the equivalent of US$5,000 (HK$39,000) shall submit a written declaration to the Customs Administration.
The statement underlined there is no limit on the amount of non-yuan currency in cash entering the mainland, adding that the mandatory declaration procedures are simple and convenient, and no fee is needed.
Gongbei Customs reminded the public that currency in cash is a restricted entry and exit item. Passengers entering and exiting the mainland are required to follow the national regulations and take the initiative to declare the amount of cash they are carrying. Any traveller violating the regulations faces a fine. Smuggled cash will be confiscated by the Customs Administration in accordance with the law, the statement said.
This undated handout photo provided by Gongbei Customs yesterday shows stacks of Hong Kong dollar notes seized from the woman at Gongbei border checkpoint on Tuesday.
This undated handout photo provided by Gongbei Customs yesterday shows two officials in hazmat suits counting the undeclared Hong Kong dollar notes seized from a mainland woman arriving from Macau on Tuesday.
