Opus One Smuggling by hiding in Engine Hood
Write | WBO Morris
Translate and Edit | WBO Kiwi
Days before, Shenzhen Customs has seized a wine smuggling case, many smuggled Opus One, one of the most famous wine brands in the United States, then went into further investigations. This is the new crackdown after a series of anti-smuggling action conducted by Shenzhen Customs in recent years.
Wine were hidden in the engine hood
According to the Shenzhen news, Shenzhen Customs tracked down a car smuggling case atChung Ying Street on December 6th, with 13 bottles of undeclared high end wines hidden in the engine hood.
About 10 a.m. on that day, a middle-aged man drove out of Chung Ying Street to Shenzhen special economic zone. The Customs officers immediately in accordance with the requirements of the vehicle manual inspection. During the X-rayed inspection, the image showed that there were hidden items under the front cover of the car. He asked whether the drivers have hidden items inside, the driver said he just help his friend to drive the car out of the street.
Then the officers open the engine hood and part of the equipment which opened out, a total of 13 bottles of high end wines were detected, which were produced in the United States and worth about CNY30,000 . At this point, the driver admitted that the car was indeed his, and the wine was hidden by him.
Opus One is in short supply in China
WBO soon detected the identity of these wines, which is the iconic wine brand in the United States. In the past, most smuggled wines are from Old World. Why New World American wine hit that point?
In fact, as one of the most famous wines from Napa Valley, Opus One is remembered due to its distinguished name and easy identified label, ranking to the most popular wine especially in the past two years, WBO has noticed several importers are consulting channels for purchasing this wine.
According to Wu Xianghua, CEO of Fine West, introduced that the new vintage of Opus One has increased by 30% since September. “we can do nothing but going up with the increase. As for old vintages of Opus One, both the winery and primary importers were run out of stock, only a few importers have scanty stock. These old vintages are still one the rise.
Wu also pointed out: Opus One goes far beyond the wine existing definition of New World or Old World, just like when you drink DBR Lafite, the honor you feel is supreme than any moment you drink other French wines.
EXW price of Opus One is higher than 200 Euros, which is in the same price range with Carruades de Lafite, this is the strongest price range that goes well in China.
Consumption power of the United States is even strong with less export volume to China, price rise is inevitable. Wine importers are happy to buy such wines, waiting for price rise and profit increase.
Customs officers at Sha Tou Jiao remind tourists that both vehicles and passengers' luggage should be limited to their own use and reasonable quantity. If they exceed the prescribed limit, they should declare to the customs voluntarily, and go through the corresponding procedures according to the regulations. It is a smuggling act to escape customs supervision in the way of hiding and so on, and the serious case will even cause criminal punishment.
But what worth noticing is that the temperature where wines were hidden, reached up to 70℃-100℃, coupled with long time shake, quality of these wines are likely to go bad.
If such wines are sold, undoubtedly, buyers are facing risks in drinking inappropriately preserved wines.