China Overseas Chinese Network July 9th telegram: Old people are punished!

Before going through customs, be sure to check if you have these with you

　　Recently, a tourist who returned from a holiday in Fiji and returned to New Zealand was fined $600 (NZD) upon entry into New Zealand.

Because he brought a few pieces of stony coral as souvenirs and was going to put them in the fish tank for viewing.

　　Unexpectedly, this coral is an internationally endangered species, and the tourist did not declare these items at the border, and was finally fined for "unauthorized import of protected wild species".

Coral infographic

　　New Zealand's Department of Conservation said a traveller had previously been fined for the same reason after returning to New Zealand with six giant clams from the Cook Islands that he intended to use to decorate a bathroom sink.

　　Coral and some shells on the Pacific islands are understood to be protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which aims to protect endangered species of flora and fauna.

A permit is usually required to bring CITES-protected wildlife into New Zealand.

The tourists were apparently unaware that their behavior was illegal.

　　The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) summarizes several common illegal animal souvenirs:

　　· Furs from protected animals, such as cheetahs and tigers

　　·Various types of corals and starfish

　　· Seahorses, snails and various shells

　　· Carrying excess quantities of unprotected plants such as orchids and cacti

　　·All kinds of ivory products

　　·Caviar (one can of caviar that does not exceed 125g and has a CITES label can be carried)

　　·Snake and scorpion wine

　　Xiaoqiao hereby reminds you not to buy animal, plant products or souvenirs in other countries at will. Even if you do, you must check the relevant entry and exit regulations in advance to avoid being fined.

sausage infographic

　　In addition to souvenirs, food is also the hardest hit area for "prohibited items", especially some Chinese favorite foods such as bacon, sausage, dried seafood, bird's nest, betel nut, etc. In recent years, there have been many cases of overseas Chinese or international students due to carrying food Penalties for entering other countries.

　　Many countries have regulations prohibiting the entry of meat.

In January 2021, some Chinese were intercepted by local customs for carrying 9.5 kilograms of undeclared bacon and sausage when entering Canada. All food was confiscated and a high fine was imposed.

At the same time, the customs said that fines for confiscated items are still trivial, and those with serious circumstances will face prosecution.

　　All kinds of meat, milk, eggs, poultry and their products, whether fresh (refrigerated or frozen), air-dried, cured, smoked, or fully cooked, are generally prohibited from being brought into the United States.

There are also some meat-containing foods, such as meat floss egg rolls, beef granules packaged in candy, moon cakes with meat filling, or rice dumplings, and bread on the plane. If they contain meat, they cannot be brought into the United States. domestic.

Hairy crab data map

　　In two months, it will be the season of hairy crabs.

However, because hairy crabs may disrupt the local ecological balance in the United States, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has banned travelers from bringing hairy crabs into the country. Violators may face fines of $300-500, up to $10,000.

　　Earlier, at JFK International Airport (JFK), U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers found a Chinese passenger consigned 30 crabs, which were identified as hairy crabs by agricultural experts and confiscated.

　　Bird's nest is also a food that the United States has banned from entering the country.

Chinese tourists once brought bird's nests worth more than 30,000 yuan (about 5,000 US dollars), which were confiscated at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and fined 300 US dollars.

　　Some Chinese favorite "snacks" cannot be brought into other countries at will.

Many places in southern China have the habit of chewing betel nut. In August 2021, there was an incident in which a Chinese citizen was arrested when entering Turkey for carrying betel nut. identified as a drug.

　　In addition, Australia also lists arecoline as a fourth-class drug, a prescription drug, and prohibits the transportation of betel nut into Australia.

　　Although each country has different regulations on what to bring into the country, in international travel, no matter which country you go to, it is prohibited to bring the following items:

　　1. Meat (raw or cooked, including internal organs, etc.) and its products

　　2. Tinder and various ignition devices, such as lighters, flint, etc.

　　3. Plant seeds, fruits and vegetables and soil

　　4. Insects and pests that are harmful to other plants

　　5. Wild animals and specimens

　　6. Drugs and dangerous drugs

　　7. All kinds of knives, arms, ammunition

　　8. Fireworks and other flammable or explosive substances that can cause personal injury or endanger the safety of aircraft

　　Xiaoqiao reminds: Before you travel, you must do your "entry homework" and carry or declare items in strict accordance with the requirements of the country you need to enter.

　　(Manuscript source: China Overseas Chinese Network WeChat official account; ID: qiaowangzhongguo; Source: China Overseas Chinese Network Comprehensive China News Network, Chinese Embassy in New Zealand, Xinhua News Agency, Overseas Network, "Europe Times" WeChat official account, "World Daily" etc.; Author: He Ying)