Customs officers inspect the dried sea horses in detention.

Recently in Gongbei Customs District, an inbound passenger from Macao was intercepted at the Nothing-to-Declare channel of Zhakou Customs House for carrying dried products of sea horses, totaling 232 pieces and 500 grams in his luggage. As the passenger had no relevant certificates, the sea-horse products were detained under anti-smuggling investigation by the Customs.

All kinds of sea horses (as hippocampus in Latin) are listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and as one of China’s second-class protected animals. 

Customs reminder: carrying or posting endangered wildlife and relevant products inward/outward must be declared to Customs on the strength of the Import/Export Permit issued by Endangered Species Import and Export Management Office of China together with Quarantine Certificate issued by relevant authorities; without these certificates, carrying or posting is prohibited and subject to legal liability.