Delaware Customs Service seizes more than $100,000 worth of Apple products

Smuggling goods through customs is not a new practice and is usually done to avoid import bans or taxes. People have tried everything from body-attached devices to drones, but inevitably they get caught.

The latest seizure reported by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol was a bit more mundane. A package containing $103,016 worth of Apple products was marked as $3,000 worth of iPhones being sent for repair.

Something was clearly wrong, because the $3,000 in iPhones could have cost anywhere from 2 to 20 devices, depending on the model. Regardless, that number of devices likely pales in comparison to what was actually on the pallet.

Customs says it discovered 469 new Apple products that were not declared on the manifest. There were 168 iPads, 59 Apple Watch Ultras and 242 AirPods.

“Improper goods in export shipments are a serious concern for Customs and Border Protection officers because the shipments may contain illicit items such as dangerous drugs, unauthorized firearms, or criminal proceeds,” said Erik Kelling, CBP Port Director in Wilmington, Del. “CBP’s outbound enforcement mission is critical to combating transnational organized crime that threatens U.S. security interests at home and abroad.”

There have been some crazy attempts to smuggle Apple products, like the one where people brought 80 iPhones in checked luggage. But even if the 42-pound-of-product-in-clothing attempt doesn’t work out, it at least seems more planned.

Perhaps next time, smugglers will realize that a large pallet of iPads and AirPods weighs more than a few iPhones. There is no indication whether the smugglers are known or in custody.