A few days ago, we told you that a man had been caught at Chinese customs with 420 SSDs taped around his waist. Today, we find the same thing, but with CPUs… No inventiveness!
306 Intel CPUs taped around his waist…
Once again, an individual was arrested on his way back to China (via the Qinqmao border crossing), carrying a large number of CPUs. Like the SSD smuggler, he had the cargo strapped to his body. Processors were found wrapped around his legs and waist. What led customs officials to check him was the way he walked, even though the cargo was hidden by loose clothing.
Unfortunately, we don’t know the details of the cargo seized. We don’t know whether the processors are new or old, or how much they’re worth. However, we do know from the photos that they are Intel models.
Once again, the reason behind these smuggling attempts: the difference in taxation between China and Hong Kong. Smugglers buy their goods in Hong Kong at 0 e V.A.T., then try to smuggle them into the Middle Kingdom, where the tax rate is 13%. The profit is made on resale.
At present, the total value of goods seized by Chinese customs amounts to $4 million over two years. But that’s only what’s seized, what about the goods that slip through the net?
