Customs officers at the Huanggang border checkpoint in Shenzhen recently intercepted a female traveller attempting to bring 47 live ants into China hidden inside her handbag.
According to Chinese customs authorities, the woman was stopped at the Futian port passenger inspection hall after X-ray screening detected suspicious images inside her luggage.
Officers later discovered 44 small plastic tubes wrapped in multiple layers of transparent cling film concealed inside the woman’s shoulder bag.
Each tube reportedly contained live ants.
Following further examination by the Shenzhen Customs Animal and Plant Inspection and Quarantine Technology Centre, officials identified several rare ant species among the insects.
The ants included species such as the red-breasted ponerine ant, trap-jaw ants, carpenter ants, yellow ant species and green-headed ants.
Authorities confirmed that at least two of the species identified were classified as foreign invasive species that could pose serious threats to local ecological safety if released into the natural environment.
Chinese customs officials warned that live ants are prohibited from being brought into the country without approval under mainland regulations.
Importing foreign species without authorisation is also illegal and may result in legal action against offenders.
Authorities reminded travellers to comply with customs regulations and avoid attempting to smuggle prohibited items across the border.
The unusual case quickly attracted online attention after reports revealed the ants had been carefully hidden in individually wrapped tubes to avoid detection during the border screening process.
