Illegal imports pose risk to public health

Frequent cases of the illegal importation of used clothing, including items collected from morgues, have resulted in the introduction of stricter measures, and the central government is expected to issue a new action plan soon.

On May 26, the customs in Xiamen, in the southeastern province of Fujian, detained a group of smugglers who had shipped 500 metric tons of used clothing to China from Pusan Port in South Korea.

The anti-smuggling unit discovered 3,596 packs of used clothing inside the vessel. The filthy clothing, which emitted a strong smell, contained items such as furs, sweaters, denims, children's wear and even bloodstained underpants.