A box of Apple products marked “iPhone return for repair” actually contained over $100,000 in iPads, Apple Watch Ultras, and AirPods meant to be smuggled to China, but Customs seized the shipment.
Smuggling goods past Customs isn’t a new practice and is usually done to avoid import bans or taxes. People have tried everything from taping devices to their body to drones, but they inevitably get caught.
The latest seizure reported by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol was a little more mundane. A package containing $103,016 worth of Apple products was labeled as $3,000 in iPhones shipping for repair.
Something was obviously off, as $3,000 in iPhones could be between 2 and 20 devices depending on the model. Regardless, that number of devices likely pales in size comparison to what was actually on the pallet.
Customs says it discovered 469 new Apple products that weren’t declared on the manifesto. There were 168 iPads, 59 Apple Watch Ultras, and 242 AirPods.
“Mismanifesting merchandise in an export parcel raises serious concern for Customs and Border Protection officers in that the parcels may contain illicit items, such as dangerous drugs, unpermitted firearms, or criminal monetary proceeds,” said Erik Kelling, CBP’s Port Director for the Port of Wilmington, Del. “CBP’s outbound enforcement mission is vital to disrupting transnational organized crime that threatens U.S. security interests at and beyond our nation’s borders.”
There have been some wild attempts at smuggling Apple products, like carrying 80 iPhones in their checked-in luggage. But even if smuggling 42 pounds of products within your clothing doesn’t work out, at least it seems more planned out.
Perhaps next time the smugglers will realize a large pallet of iPads and AirPods weigh more than a few iPhones. There isn’t any indication of whether the smugglers are known or in custody.
