Customs officials in Hangzhou, in the eastern province of Zhejiang, announced yesterday the seizure of a large consignment of cultural relics from two Japanese men on May 4, the first such case involving foreigners in the province.

About 310 pieces of celadon pottery, distinguished by its pale green glaze and forbidden from export, were found in two cases carried by the alleged smugglers as they were about to board their plane at the city's Xiaoshan International Airport.

They had tried to pass through the 'nothing to declare' channel but their large luggage aroused the suspicions of customs officers.

The men first said they had bought the pottery in Song Cheng, a local tourist spot, but later said they had purchased it on Hefangjie Street, known for selling duplicate ancient relics, according to customs officials.

It later turned out that the pieces were valuable antiques dating back to the Five Dynasties (907-960) and Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), said Chai Xiuhua, director of the Appraisal Commission for Antiques.

"Some of the relics are well preserved and others show signs of being excavated," said Chai.

They were traced back to the Longkou Cave Site in Cixi, Zhejiang, which was listed as one of the top 10 national archaeological discoveries of 1998.

Experts said the traffickers must have had some knowledge of antiques.

The investigation is ongoing.

To export cultural relics produced before 1949 and works of famous late calligraphers and painters since then, you must first apply to the State Bureau of Cultural Relics for an export license.

Items produced before 1795 are completely forbidden from export, according to Chai.

(China Daily May 31, 2005)