TOKYO (TR) – With foreign arrivals to Japan topping a record-breaking 21 million in just six months, Japan Customs officials at Haneda International Airport are intensifying crackdowns on a surge of travelers attempting to smuggle counterfeit goods and evade luxury taxes.
In one brazen incident in June, a female traveler arriving from Hong Kong was caught red-handed attempting to smuggle a luxury wristwatch worth over 1 million yen to dodge import duties.
When initially questioned by customs officers, the woman firmly denied carrying any watches or high-value goods exceeding Japan’s 200,000-yen duty-free allowance. However, a search of her suitcase revealed an empty box for a luxury brand bracelet. Moments later, a second empty box for a luxury ring was discovered.
“I didn’t know [I had to declare it],” the woman claimed, insisting she bought the items at a Hong Kong airport and had already given the ring to a friend.
Suspecting she was hiding the undeclared high-end jewelry on her person, officers asked if her pockets were empty. The woman insisted they were. However, during a strict pat-down, an officer noticed her moving suspiciously and discovered the 1-million-yen timepiece concealed in her pocket.
According to Japan Customs, the woman was cited for intentionally attempting to evade tax payments by repeatedly lying to officers.
Luxury bags and wallets
The airport has also seen a flood of tourists attempting to haul counterfeit goods across the border.
In another recent case, a male passenger arriving from Cambodia raised suspicions when he lugged two massive cardboard boxes to the inspection counter. He told officers the boxes contained nothing but “personal clothing.”
An X-ray scan quickly proved otherwise. Officers unpacked 16 poorly stitched counterfeit luxury bags and wallets, along with 38 kilograms of individually wrapped apparel. Despite the man’s claims that the massive haul was strictly for “personal use,” he was forced to surrender the counterfeit bags for destruction and pay import taxes on the commercial-volume clothing.
“I paid a lot of money for these”
Similarly, a female traveler arriving from Thailand was stopped with more than 90 counterfeit sports brand soccer uniforms stuffed into her luggage. Taken to a private inspection room, the woman claimed she bought the items at a famous Thai market because her friends had begged her to bring them back.
“I paid a lot of money for these,” she protested as officers pointed out the shoddy workmanship.
Officers informed her that importing fake brand goods into Japan is strictly prohibited by law. The woman was forced to abandon the entire 90-piece haul before being allowed to leave the airport.
As inbound tourism continues at an unprecedented pace, Haneda Airport customs officials say they will continue to strengthen their frontline enforcement against smuggling and tax evasion.
