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The Star
13 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Bangladeshi mangoes enter China for the first time
Shoppers select mangoes at a supermarket in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province. BEIJING: A shipment of three tonnes of fresh mangoes from Bangladesh arrived in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, on Wednesday (May 28) night, marking China's first import of mangoes from Bangladesh. Upon arrival, customs officers at Changsha Huanghua International Airport promptly verified shipping labels, phytosanitary certificates, and conducted on-site inspections of the packaging and fruit appearance. The shipment was later cleared with no abnormalities found. The mangoes are a Bangladeshi geographical indication product, known for their fine texture, high sugar content, and rich floral and tropical aroma. The fruit will be distributed through e-commerce platforms, supermarkets, and fresh produce chains across China, according to Hunan BabaiLi Holding Group, the importer. Previously exported mainly to the Middle East and the EU, Bangladeshi mangoes are now entering China, with the importer estimating over 100 tonnes in the first year. "This marks China's first import of fresh mangoes from Bangladesh. In the preparatory stages, Changsha Customs actively coordinated with businesses, offered end-to-end support, including policy consultation, company registration services and quarantine approval. At the airport, a dedicated 'fresh express' team proactively coordinated logistics, tracked flight schedules in real time, ensured fast, on-arrival inspection. Based on our communication with the importer, they plan to import approximately 100 additional tonnes of fresh Bangladeshi mangoes this year, currently scheduled for off-season sales during winter." In July 2024, China approved the import of fresh mangoes from Bangladesh. Bangladesh is expected to produce around 2.7 million tonnes of mangoes in 2025, with about 5,000 tonnes planned for export, according to the country's Department of Agriculture Extension. The northwestern region of Chapainawabganj, known as the "mango capital," is famous for its high-quality, chemical-free mangoes. In recent years, Chinese bagging technology, a safer alternative to chemical pesticides, has gained popularity among local growers. In 2024, China's fruit trade saw steady growth. Fruit exports reached 8.54 billion U.S. dollars, up 20.9 percent year-on-year, while imports totaled 19.45 billion U.S. dollars, an increase of 6 percent from the previous year. This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Bangladesh. In recent years, bilateral economic cooperation has deepened significantly, with China serving as Bangladesh's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years. - Xinhua
Mint
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Chinese customs stop travellers carrying Pop Mart's Labubu and Molly dolls at airports; here's why
As the prices of Pop Mart toys have increased with the Beijing-based retailer's global expansion, the Chinese customs authorities have repeatedly stopped suspected smugglers, reported China Daily. According to the report, the Chinese customs agents have intercepted and seized undeclared toys multiple times from passengers who reportedly seek to profit from resales. The customs agents recently confiscated as many as 318 toys 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. The media report claims that travellers are reportedly buying the toys overseas and bringing them back into China. Due to currency fluctuations or local discounts, Pop Mart toys are sometimes sold at lower prices offshore than in China. Currently, the firm has more than 500 stores in over 30 countries and is expanding internationally. 'To put it simply, the high price is both about hype and the effect of international popularity,' China Daily quoted Peng Peng, executive chairman of the Guangdong Society of Reform think tank, as saying. 'Chinese consumers and businesspeople are interested, more or less,' he added. 'Business opportunities that can promote consumption cannot be missed.' Various reports claim that a few Pop Mart stores outside China have attracted long queues, large crowds and even fights. The Pop Mart's retail chain on 19 May announced on Instagram that it would pause sales of its toy line for The Monsters at its UK stores until further notice. It cited safety concerns following chaotic scenes at some of its stores, added the report. Labubu, one of Pop Mart's famous toys, was created by Hong Kong-born designer Lung Ka-sing. It is a series of stuffed elflike monsters with furry bodies, pointed ears and sharp teeth. The company's Molly figurines, also designed by a Hong Kong artist, resemble a cartoonish young girl with emerald eyes. Both toy series were seen being carried by world-famous celebrities, such as Lisa from the K-pop group Blackpink. This has given the toys extra edge over other toys and fuelled the craze for it. The report mentioned that a Molly figurine was valued at the equivalent of $208 but could be resold in China for $320. Also, once priced at 99 yuan ($13.8), a Labubu 'hidden edition' doll now sells for more than 2,000 yuan. According to Peng, efforts are required to stop people smuggling the dolls. 'Combating smuggling has always been a difficult problem, but as long as you persist, it will be effective, which can be seen in China's fight against online fraud,' Peng said. However, Hong Kong-based lawyer Joe Simone thinks otherwise and says the crackdown is unlikely to escalate. According to him, the traveller would pay a fine for inaccurately declaring merchandise, and the case would be shut. 'The authorities can only catch so much. How often does customs even look through your luggage?' he asked.
The Star
5 days ago
- The Star
Chinese customs authorities crack down on toy doll smuggling
People look at collectable designer art toy Labubu at a Pop Mart pop-up store in Siam Center shopping mall in Bangkok on May 6, 2025. - AFP 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, 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 travelers 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 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 (US$6,940), 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, 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 Chinese customs authorities highlight the booming secondary market. The allure lies in the substantial profit margins. A customs declaration form submitted by one passenger showed that a Pop Mart Molly figurine in the passenger's possession was priced at 6,790 Thai baht (US$209). In China's secondary market, the same toy sells for an average of US$319 — leaving a sizable profit margin even after accounting for the 13 per cent value-added tax on such items. The 'hidden edition' of Labubu 3.0, originally priced at 99 yuan, now commands a price of more than 2,000 yuan. On a major Chinese secondhand goods platform, the hidden edition of Labubu 3.0 was listed at 2,699 yuan, with over 2,300 users marking it as 'wanted' and nearly 120,000 views recorded. 'Pop Mart is a Chinese brand, but overseas toy editions often feature exclusive collaborations not available in China, making them even more desirable,' said Sun Yuzhuoran, a buyer of Pop Mart products. Pop Mart's global expansion has further fueled the craze. With flagship stores in cities like Paris, London, New York and Bangkok, the brand reported 475 per cent year-on-year growth in its overseas revenue in the first quarter — five times that of its domestic market. The brand's popularity reflects consumption trends among young buyers. 'The affordable blind-box toys offer emotional value. It is about the thrill of spending just a few dozen yuan for some surprise,' said Li Ruihan, a university student in Jinan, Shandong province. 'But now, some editions sell for hundreds of yuan,' said Li. - China Daily/ANN
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Straits Times
Chinese customs authorities crack down on toy doll smuggling
In the past three months, Chinese customs authorities have reported multiple cases of undeclared Pop Mart toys. PHOTO: AFP 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, 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 travelers 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 ($8,901), 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 Chinese customs authorities highlight the booming secondary market. The allure lies in the substantial profit margins. A customs declaration form submitted by one passenger showed that a Pop Mart Molly figurine in the passenger's possession was priced at 6,790 Thai baht (S$268). In China's secondary market, the same toy sells for an average of S$410 — leaving a sizable profit margin even after accounting for the 13 per cent value-added tax on such items. The 'hidden edition' of Labubu 3.0, originally priced at 99 yuan, now commands a price of more than 2,000 yuan. On a major Chinese secondhand goods platform, the hidden edition of Labubu 3.0 was listed at 2,699 yuan, with over 2,300 users marking it as 'wanted' and nearly 120,000 views recorded. 'Pop Mart is a Chinese brand, but overseas toy editions often feature exclusive collaborations not available in China, making them even more desirable,' said Mr Sun Yuzhuoran, a buyer of Pop Mart products. Pop Mart's global expansion has further fueled the craze. With flagship stores in cities like Paris, London, New York and Bangkok, the brand reported 475 per cent year-on-year growth in its overseas revenue in the first quarter — five times that of its domestic market. The brand's popularity reflects consumption trends among young buyers. 'The affordable blind-box toys offer emotional value. It is about the thrill of spending just a few dozen yuan for some surprise,' said Mr Li Ruihan, a university student in Jinan, Shandong province. 'But now, some editions sell for hundreds of yuan,' said Mr Li. CHINA DAILY/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
