Zhuhai’s Gongbei Customs has announced that its officers have caught a woman attempting to smuggle US$250,000 (2.01 million patacas) in undeclared cash to Macau through the border checkpoint, exceeding the official maximum amount of cash that a traveller is permitted to carry when leaving the mainland.
Gongbei Customs announced the case, which occurred last Monday, in a statement yesterday, adding that the woman did not submit a customs declaration when entering the hall.
At 11 p.m. last Monday, customs officers at Gongbei border checkpoint intercepted a woman who had deliberately bypassed the X-ray machine for baggage inspection, and customs officers seized two plastic bags containing US dollars in her handbag covered by her jacket, as well as part of the cash in her jacket pockets, the statement said, which was in excess of the quota stipulated for the import and export of banknotes.
The statement noted that a traveller is only permitted to carry foreign currency equivalent to up to US$5,000 (40,280 patacas) when leaving the mainland each time. Travellers must inform customs officers if they need to carry foreign currency exceeding the maximum amount.
The statement also noted that all the money exceeding the maximum amount permitted has been returned to the woman.
The statement said that the woman was fined. However, it did not reveal the amount of the fine.
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.
This undated handout photo provided by the Zhuhai’s Gongbei Customs yesterday shows US$250,000 in undeclared cash seized by the adjacent city’s customs officers.
