Zhuhai’s Gongbei Customs has announced that its officers have caught a man attempting to smuggle HK$1.2 million (1.11 million yuan) in undeclared cash from Macau to the mainland through the border checkpoint, exceeding the official maximum amount of cash that a traveller is permitted to carry when entering the mainland.
Gongbei Customs announced the case, which was detected on Sunday, in a statement yesterday, adding that the man did not submit a customs declaration when entering the arrival hall.
On Sunday morning, customs officers at Gongbei border checkpoint intercepted a man carrying a crossbody bag across his chest, and customs officers seized HK$1.2 million in cash hidden in his bag, 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 non-mainland currency equivalent of up to US$5,000 (40,280 patacas) when entering the mainland each time. Travellers must inform customs officers if they need to carry foreign currency in cash exceeding the maximum amount.
Gongbei Customs reminded the public that a large amount of 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 Zhuhai’s Gongbei Customs yesterday shows HK$1.2 million in undeclared cash seized by the adjacent city’s customs officers.
