A traveler attempting to pass through the Gongbei Checkpoint in Zhuhai was fined 148,000 yuan (US$17,830) for carrying HK$1.42 million (US$183,000) in cash in his briefcase Saturday evening, according to the Guangzhou Daily yesterday.

It is the largest amount of cash carried by an outbound passenger, according to the report.

A source with the Zhuhai customs reported 670 such cases this year, involving 60 million yuan, 30 percent higher than last year.

Most cases occurred due to the passengers’ lack of knowledge about regulations, though some who were caught were foreign currency smugglers, the customs said.

While traveling in Hong Kong and Macao, travelers from inland cities usually buy goods like electronic products. Most of them carry large amounts of cash. Outbound passengers are allowed to take with them foreign currency up to the amount equivalent to US$5,000.

(Shenzhen Daily December 20, 2005)