By Star Chang, posted Jun 7, 2010 at 5:09 PM, 1,866 views,

iPad Smuggling Cases Increase In Shenzhen

Cases on smuggling Apple iPad to China from Hong Kong have been increased. According to Guangzhou Daily news report, starting from April, Shenzhen Customs has track down 309 cases regarding travelers carrying iPad into China mainland, and a total of 394 iPads has been spotted. 59 cases are suspected to be illegal smuggling, among all cases, one China citizen has carried 7 iPads without declaration.

“Water tourists”, a nickname for cross-border travelers who are paid to carry goods for smugglers, are the group of people which had involved in these smuggling cases. Due to Apple who has no information on when the iPad would be officially debut in China, this results the Chinese retailers to get their stocks from Hong Kong through illegal channels, and thus Hong Kong’s retailers employ more “Water tourists” to smuggle iPad into China. Shenzhen Customs has indicated that all smugglers’ iPads are from the gray market, because Hong Kong has not yet officially released the iPad.

We think that the Chinese consumers should feel pathetic on purchasing the iPad. The device was first made in Shenzhen Foxconn factory, then exported to US, retailers from Hong Kong imported it through gray market, then smuggling back into Shenzhen again in order to sell it in China … this is really incredible. On July 1st, Hong Kong will officially release the iPad, we believe these smuggling cases will get even worse due to the much lower price offers from Hong Kong.

Source : [Guangzhou Daily]

Regarding more infomation on Shenzhen’s customs inspection, you can read here.