A total of 33 bottles of “Penfolds” wine hidden in a Guangdong-Macau dual licence plate vehicle were seized by Gongbei customs officers at the border checkpoint on the Zhuhai-Macau side of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau (HKZM) Bridge, according to a statement by the Gongbei’s Customs Administration yesterday.

The statement said that the Gongbei customs officers detected something abnormal about the Guangdong-Macau dual licence plate vehicle as it was approaching the checkpoint and stopped it at 9 a.m. on Sunday, adding that while scanning by vehicle inspection equipment, the 33 bottles of wine were found under the third row of seats and in the boot.

The statement noted that the case has been handed over to the relevant entities for follow-up.

The statement underlined that in accordance with the mainland’s regulation, the means of transport used exclusively for smuggling more than three times within two years will be confiscated.

Penfolds is an Australian wine producer that was founded in Adelaide in 1844. It is one of Australia’s oldest wineries. 

This undated handout photo provided by the Gongbei Customs Administration yesterday shows customs officers checking out the 33 contraband bottles of Penfold wine from Australia.