Zhuhai’s Gongbei Customs announced in a statement yesterday that its officers seized HK$200,000 (205,900 patacas) in cash at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) on February 26.
According to the statement, on that day, customs officers at the Zhuhai checkpoint of the mega-bridge noticed a traveller using the “green channel” who appeared visibly anxious.
When they stopped him for inspection, customs officers discovered HK$200,000 in undeclared cash was concealed in his backpack, the statement said.
Zhuhai Customs reminded the public in the statement that in accordance with relevant regulations, travellers with no record of declaring foreign currency upon their most recent entry, or whose declared amount does not exceed the limit, may carry currency not exceeding the equivalent of US$5,000 when entering or exiting the Chinese mainland for the first time within a 15-day period. For travellers entering or exiting for the second time within 15 days, or for the second time or more within a single day, the respective limits are the equivalent of US$1,000 and US$500 respectively. Amounts exceeding these limits will be confiscated by customs. If it is necessary to have a large amount of cash exceeding the limit, one should first obtain the relevant documentation from the foreign exchange administration or a related bank and make a declaration to customs officer upon entry or exit.
This undated and pixelated handout photo provided by Zhuhai Gongbei Customs yesterday shows the smuggler holding in his ID card behind HK$200,000 in cash.
