Large-Scale Smuggling of Counterfeit 'Antique Pu'er Tea' Busted
An employee of an import company who attempted to secretly bring counterfeit 'Antique Pu'er Tea' from China into Korea for domestic distribution has been caught by customs authorities.
Pu'er tea is a traditional Chinese fermented tea, made by drying tea leaves grown in southern China under the sun and then processing and aging them over a long period to produce its distinctive taste and aroma. In particular, 'Antique Pu'er Tea' refers to products that have been naturally fermented for over 30 years, and is distinguished from regular Pu'er tea by its deep flavor and high market value.
On October 29, the Incheon Customs Headquarters of the Korea Customs Service announced that it had apprehended a 59-year-old employee, Mr. A, from the import company on suspicion of violating the Customs Act and the Food Sanitation Act, and had referred him to the prosecution without detention.
Counterfeit Chinese 'Antique Pu'er Tea' is contained in the packaging. Photo by Incheon Customs Headquarters, Korea Customs Service
According to Incheon Customs, Mr. A was caught attempting to smuggle 1.4 tons of counterfeit Chinese Antique Pu'er Tea, with a market value of approximately 130 million won.
Previously, during an inspection of imported goods in June, Incheon Customs discovered counterfeit Antique Pu'er Tea hidden inside declared items such as ceramics, as well as packaged in the shapes of gourds, pumpkins, bricks, and bamboo baskets. All of these were seized as evidence.
The seized items were intricately packaged with faded paper, ceramics, and leather bearing period patterns and inscriptions to make them appear as if they were from the Qing Dynasty era.
However, an appraisal revealed that all of the confiscated products were, in fact, recently produced Pu'er tea. Incheon Customs determined that if Mr. A had succeeded in smuggling the tea, it would likely have been distributed domestically at high prices as premium Antique Pu'er Tea from the Qing Dynasty, despite actually being ordinary Pu'er tea.
In 2023, a genuine Chinese Antique Pu'er Tea cake (357g) was auctioned for 210 million won in the domestic auction market. Even in China, Antique Pu'er Tea is regarded as a prominent long-term investment product.
Ban Jaehyun, Director of the Investigation Bureau at Incheon Customs, stated, "If counterfeit Antique Pu'er Tea that has not undergone proper customs procedures is distributed domestically, consumers could suffer significant financial losses and even face health risks. Customs authorities will thoroughly crack down on illegal activities like those committed by Mr. A."
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