Customs inspection of an erhu made from python skin Photo by Correspondent

Recently, Meishan Customs under Ningbo Customs seized a batch of the special musical instruments-12 erhus with soundboards made from endangered python skin—in a freight channel inspection.

At the customs inspection site of Meishan Port Customs in Ningbo, the customs inspectors of Meishan Customs inspected a batch of goods such as erhu, Guzheng and dulcimer declared for export by a company, and found that the soundboards of a batch of erhu is in a scaly structure resembling python skin, which is suspected to be python skin products. Then the goods were immediately seized and sent to a professional institution for identification.

"We conducted on-site manual inspection and found that the shipment primarily consisted of erhus. And the soundboard part of these erhus is displayed diamond-shaped scales and snake-skin patterns. Based on the information of goods manufacturing process, declaration contents and other information, we concluded that this batch of goods pose a high risk of containing products from endangered species." explained Zhang Yongle, an inspector from the Inspection Section III of Meishan Customs. According to professional institution, 12 erhu are endangered species python skin products. At present, the aforementioned goods have been transferred to relevant authorities for further handling.

Customs authorities remind the public that pythonous species are listed in the appendix to Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). According to the regulations, except for those who have obtained the import and export permit certificate of endangered species, the trading, carrying and mailing of endangered wildlife and their products into or out of China are prohibited, and those whose circumstances are serious enough to constitute a crime shall be investigated for criminal responsibility according to law. (Reporter: Zheng Kanxuan, Cheng Baige, Correspondent: Ying Jun)