Smuggling attempts in China have taken a tremendous rise this year and by the looks of it, things aren't stopping here. It is now being reported that China Customs has intercepted an individual carrying 780 Intel processors with a collective worth exceeding $130,000.
Smuggling Attempts in China Have Reached All-Time High, Getting More Profits Being The Primary Reason
In the past, we have reported rather "weird" smuggling attempts ranging from processors being smuggled in a prosthetic belly to several similar instances. Smugglers are finding unique ways to illegally transport hardware equipment in China, ultimately getting caught in the end. However, the latest attempt is really interesting, since smugglers attempted to hide Intel processors inside a car engine.
While we can't comment on the thought process behind this attempt, it can be said as a way to deceive customs officers. Officers at Gongbei Port, upon digital imagery, suspected something fishy which prompted them towards a more thorough investigation. Eventually, the 780 Intel processors being transported were caught, with a combined value being reported at 1 million yuan / USD $ 137,141. Details regarding specific processors aren't disclosed yet, but it can be speculated to be one of the newer "Alder Lake" ones since breaking down individual costs leads to $175 per processor.
The big question is, why are smuggling attempts so frequent in China? Well, this holds many reasons, but the primary one being is that customers can get much cheaper products through such "grey channels" since they exclude heavy taxation in the regions. In a previous report, we disclosed that smuggling attempts in China have surpassed the $4 million mark in two years, and we believe it won't stop here unless prompt action is taken.
News Source: Tom's Hardware
About the author: Muhammad Zuhair is a hardware and technology reporter for Wccftech, specializing in the semiconductor industry and the complex interplay between technology, manufacturing, and geopolitics. His coverage focuses on the corporate strategies and technological roadmaps of industry giants like TSMC, NVIDIA, Samsung, and Intel. Zuhair's expertise lies in deconstructing complex topics such as fabrication nodes (e.g., 2nm process), the economic impact of policies like the CHIPS Act, and the strategic development of AI infrastructure from NVIDIA, AMD and Intel.
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