Australian lobsters ‘smuggled to China’ despite trade ban
Despite Australian lobsters being banned by Chinese authorities, demand for them continues to be strong, with some being smuggled into mainland China, reports say.
In one incident, Australian rock lobsters – regarded as a delicacy in China – were seized during a smuggling bust in Hong Kong, The South China Morning Post reports.
They were among luxury goods confiscated in May when a speed boat heading to mainland China was intercepted by Hong Kong officials.
While authorities did not reveal the origin of the 569kg worth of live lobsters, valued at $25,000, the creatures bore the red colour and the forked antennae unique to Australian rock lobsters.
The incident highlights how demand for the Australian crustaceans is being met by “grey channels” – or unauthorised trade routes.
“Most of the smuggled lobsters are western rock lobsters from Australia,” a Hong Kong seafood trader said.
“Mainland consumers are so used to its taste that the Chinese market demand is still huge, even though direct imports have been banned.”
Nine.com.au has contacted Hong Kong Customs and Excise for a statement.
The live rock lobster smuggling route begins after the live crustaceans are flown from Perth to Hong Kong.
They are chilled before and during the flight but then “woken” with fresh seawater after they clear customs.
Once strong enough, the lobsters are repacked into the styrofoam boxes they arrived in to begin the illegal part of their journey, typically over water to mainland China.
For years Australian live rock lobster exporters have been dependent on the China market, accounted for 95 per cent of rock lobster exports that were flown live from Australia.
But last November Beijing imposed a live export ban as relations with Canberra plummeted.
The industry, along with Australian beef, barley, coal and wine producers, became caught in rising tensions with China after clashes over the coronavirus, Hong Kong and foreign interference.
