Chinese customs authorities crack down on toy doll smuggling

JINAN – The surge in cross-border resales of Pop Mart toys, with some rare editions fetching jaw-dropping prices, has blurred the line between proxy shopping and smuggling, as several Chinese Customs authorities have reported undeclared toys being intercepted in quantities exceeding the allowed amount.

In the past three months, the Chinese Customs authorities have reported multiple cases of intercepting undeclared Pop Mart toys, including popular Labubu and Molly figurines, carried by passengers who are seeking to profit from resales.

In one instance, a total of 318 toys were seized from three travellers at Changsha Huanghua International Airport in Hunan province. In another case, a passenger at Hefei Xinqiao International Airport in Anhui province was caught with 94 toys, all intended for resale, according to the General Administration of Customs of China.

“The number of toys they brought with them exceeded the prescribed quantity for personal use, so they could face punishment according to related laws,” said Mr Xu Hao, a lawyer at Beijing Jingsh Law Firm.

China’s Customs Law stipulates that transporting undeclared goods in excess of prescribed limits for profit-seeking purposes constitutes smuggling. If the evaded tax amount exceeds 50,000 yuan ($8,900),it will be considered a smuggling crime that could carry a punishment of up to life in prison.

Overseas Chinese students should be fully aware of the legal risks associated with similar resale activities, including but not limited to tax violations and counterfeit goods distribution, which may lead to severe consequences, Mr Xu added.

Pop Mart, a Beijing-based toy brand, has taken the global market by storm, with its limited-edition figurines becoming hot commodities both at home and abroad. The cases reported by the Chinese Customs authorities highlight the booming secondary market.

The allure lies in the substantial profit margins. A Customs declaration form submitted by one