Recently, customs personnel with Qingdao Postal Office seized 3 teeth of sperm whale in an inbound post, totaling 798 grams.

Under smart inspection device, the inbound post was found to contain some things like animal teeth or bones. Through out-of-box inspection, the officers seized 3 off-white animal teeth, 10-15 centimeters long, which were then identified as from sperm whale.

Sperm whale is listed in Appendix I of the “Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora” (CITES). Without official certificate for import and export, it is illegal to trade, carry or post the endangered species and relevant products inward and outward. 

Now, the sperm-whale teeth are detained by the Customs for investigation.