Zhuhai’s Gongbei Customs has announced that its officers have caught a female attempting to smuggle 490,000 yuan (540,000 patacas) in undeclared cash from Macau to the mainland at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge 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 last Wednesday, in a statement yesterday, adding that the female did not submit a customs declaration when entering the arrival hall.
Last Wednesday afternoon, customs officers at the border checkpoint intercepted the woman and customs officers seized 490,000 yuan in cash hidden in her luggage, the statement said, which was in excess of the maximum amount allowed for the import and export of banknotes.
The statement noted that a traveller is only permitted to carry non-mainland currency equivalent to 20,000 yuan (22,420 patacas) when entering the mainland each time. Travellers must inform customs officers if they need to carry foreign currency in cash exceeding the maximum allowed 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 exceeding 20,000 yuan or its equivalent in non-mainland currency they are carrying. Any traveller violating the regulations faces a fine.
This undated handout photo provided by Zhuhai’s Gongbei Customs yesterday shows 490,000 yuan in undeclared cash seized by the HKZM Bridge Zhuhai border checkpoint’s customs officers.
