Zhuhai’s Gongbei Customs has announced that its officers have caught a male mainlander attempting to smuggle HK$1,445,000 (1,485,815 patacas) in undeclared cash from Macau to the mainland at Gongbei checkpoint, exceeding the official maximum amount of cash that a traveller is permitted to carry when entering the mainland.
Gongbei Customs announced the case, which was detected on July 9, in a statement yesterday, adding that the smuggler did not submit a customs declaration when entering the arrivals hall.
On the morning of July 9, customs officers at the border checkpoint intercepted the smuggler and customs officers seized HK$ 1,445,000 in cash hidden in his black bag, 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 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 provided by Zhuhai Gongbei Customs yesterday shows HK$ 1,445,000 in undeclared cash seized by the adjacent city’s customs officers.
