Surrey man fined $11,000 for smuggling jewelry
A Surrey man who pled guilty to possessing unlawfully imported jewelry, was fined more than $11,000 in Richmond provincial court last week.
But if he hopes to get back his 18 karat rose gold Montblanc watch, a Cartier 18 karat white gold pendant, and a Cartier 18 karat white gold necklace, he'll have to pay Canada Customs much more.
Da Qing Wang returned to Vancouver International Airport on Sept. 15, 2011 following a flight from Beijing.
He declared that he'd purchased $600 worth of goods, but upon a secondary inspection, border services officers noted an undeclared Montblanc watch and Cartier jewelry.
Wang pled guilty on April 17 in Richmond provincial court to smuggling the jewelry, which was worth $61,188.29.
Wang was fined $11,163.50, and must also pay a penalty of 30 per cent of the value of the goods, which amounts to $18,356.49.
All goods acquired while out of Canada, including gifts, must be declared on one's return home, said Canada Border Services spokesperson Stefanie Wudel.
Penalties range from 25 per cent to 80 per cent of the value of the seized goods.
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