7.) “Daigou” traders targeted
On a related theme, the upsurge in Chinese tourism has created a headache for authorities faced with returning holidaymakers bringing back seafood in their suitcases.
This autumn, customs targeted airline passengers importing sea cucumber and shark fins at airports, and postal packets were inspected in advance of China’s Single’s Day – the “11-11” phenomenon created by online commerce leader Alibaba. Authorities are worried they risk letting in disease, but they’re also losing taxes to a particular type of tourist –the “daigou” (meaning “bring and sell”). Daigou have made a handy cottage industry out of buying products abroad, from cosmetics to shrimp and rare fish, and bringing them into China to sell at a profit.
