Buckle up! traveler's golden accessory raises red flags at customs

A traveler attempting to enter the Chinese mainland through Shenzhen's Futian port in Guangdong province was apprehended by customs officials after a gold block weighing over 400 grams was discovered hidden within her belt buckle.

During a routine inspection, customs officers noticed an anomaly with the woman's black belt buckle. A closer examination revealed a black paint coating on the surface. After removing the paint, officers discovered a gold-colored block inscribed with "1 KILO 999.9 FINE GOLD."

A subsequent appraisal confirmed the object to be a solid gold block weighing 426.65 grams.

Shenzhen customs authorities reminded the public that concealing, disguising, or misreporting goods to avoid customs duties constitutes smuggling and carries legal repercussions.