Shenzhen Bay Customs Seizes 30 kg of Undeclared Agarwood; XRF Aids Authentication

30 Kilograms Intercepted

According to customs authorities, officers at Shenzhen Bay port recently found 30 kg of suspected agarwood chips in the trunk of an outbound cross-border vehicle whose driver made no declaration. Testing by the Shenzhen customs animal and plant inspection technical center confirmed the material as Aquilaria timber of the Thymelaeaceae family, a CITES Appendix II regulated species. The case has been transferred for further handling. Customs reminds the public that, absent valid import-export certificates, trading, carrying or mailing endangered species and their products across borders is prohibited, and serious cases carry criminal liability.

Technology Joins the Authentication Toolkit

At the same time, agarwood authentication is moving from nose-based judgement to cross-validation by multiple techniques. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) can screen for abnormal inorganic elements and foreign fillers — unusual concentrations of barium, lead, zinc or titanium in cracks, pores or surface coatings may indicate mineral powder, metal salts or pigment used to add weight or colour. XRF cannot, however, determine aroma quality, resin content or origin; readings must be compared across multiple points on the same object. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) quantifies marker compounds such as agarotetrol and detects synthetic fragrances, while microscopic examination under LY/T 2904-2017 assesses vessels, wood rays and included phloem and is regarded as the gold standard for authenticity. GB 26386-2025, a mandatory safety standard for combustible incense products, took effect on 1 May 2026, setting limits for formaldehyde, benzene series, TVOC and migratable heavy metals.

For consumers, items priced above roughly one thousand yuan should come with a verifiable third-party test report from a qualified laboratory; reports lacking a standard number, official seal or microscopic conclusions should be treated as unverified. This article is industry observation and educational summary only; it does not constitute trading or investment advice. Purchase agarwood only through legal channels with traceable and testable sources.