12 Sentenced for Smuggling Fireworks and Other Dangerous Goods in International Shipments!
Since 2022, a total of 20 containers of illegally exported fireworks and firecrackers have been destroyed in the Ningbo port area.
On December 15, the Ningbo Port Area Special Task Force for Combating the Illegal Export of Fireworks and Firecrackers (the “Task Force”) announced that since 2022, a total of 20 containers of illegally exported fireworks and firecrackers had been destroyed in the Ningbo port area. Twelve people had also been sentenced to prison for smuggling fireworks and firecrackers, effectively curbing the rise in related illegal activities and crimes.
At the end of 2021, ten departments, including the Supreme People’s Court, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate and the Ministry of Public Security, jointly issued the Opinions on Punishing Crimes Involving Guns, Ammunition, Explosives, and Flammable and Explosive Hazardous Materials in Accordance with the Law, clarifying that illegally exporting fireworks and firecrackers through ports constitutes a criminal offense.
The Task Force coordinated with relevant departments, including Ningbo’s transport, customs and maritime authorities, as well as the public security, procuratorial and judicial authorities. They further refined and reached a consensus on strict law enforcement in accordance with the law, covering the elements of crimes, evidentiary standards, methods of determination and evidence-gathering requirements in cases involving the illegal export of fireworks and firecrackers.
According to reports, in 2022, Ningbo public security authorities placed one person in criminal detention, released four people on bail pending trial, arrested 14 people and transferred four people for prosecution. Twelve defendants were sentenced to prison terms ranging from one to four years for endangering public safety by dangerous means.
A relevant Task Force official said that since Ningbo’s public security, transport, customs and maritime authorities signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Law Enforcement Cooperation, they had reached consensus on on-site handling, case classification, information sharing and coordination. This has strengthened joint oversight of the illegal export of fireworks and firecrackers and delivered some results.
Since 2022, Ningbo Customs has seized seven containers of fireworks and firecrackers and handled one administrative case, imposing fines of more than RMB 39,000. Ningbo’s transport bureau has uncovered eight related cases and imposed fines totaling RMB 890,000. Ningbo Customs has investigated two cases of evading commodity inspection and apprehended two suspects.
In 2022, the Task Force launched an emergency destruction program targeting the illegal export of fireworks and firecrackers through the port. Illegal exports seized within the Ningbo port area were promptly destroyed to eliminate potential risks and ensure the continued safety and stability of port operations.
Statistics show that three coordinated destruction operations were carried out throughout 2022, involving more than 1,200 police deployments. A total of 20 containers of illegally exported fireworks and firecrackers were destroyed, including 17,818 boxes of fireworks and firecrackers, 1,454 boxes containing 175,824 handheld flares, and 47 boxes containing 890 display shells.
In addition, to strengthen source-level oversight of the illegal export of fireworks and firecrackers, Ningbo public security authorities have used digital tools to advance the practical application of a digital early-warning model for vehicles transporting fireworks and firecrackers classified as explosive hazards. This has further improved the ability to detect and manage illegal activities beyond the Ningbo port area.
In 2022, the model generated 7,369 alerts, flagged more than 20 suspicious vehicle records and produced 16 investigative leads, leading to the successful detection of one case involving the illegal transport of hazardous materials.
According to reports, China produces about 90% of the world’s fireworks and firecrackers. Around 100,000 containers are shipped to destinations worldwide each year, with 98% exported by sea after being loaded onto ships at ports. However, at present, only a small number of ports in China, including Shanghai and Beihai, are authorized to export fireworks and firecrackers.
With authorized export capacity falling far short of market demand, some cargo owners, freight forwarders and buyers, tempted by potential profits, take the risk of smuggling goods by concealing or falsifying declarations.
