Shenzhen in South China's Guangdong province has intensified efforts to search for smuggled iPads, including the recently released new iPad, Shenzhen customs said on Monday.

"If passengers secretly carry iPads purchased outside the mainland through China's ports, the actions will be considered illegal, and the travelers must make a customs declaration," the Shenzhen anti-smuggling authority said.

The new iPad, released by Apple on March 8, is not yet for sale on the Chinese mainland, so customers who want to buy one have to purchase it from abroad, leaving opportunities for smugglers.

"We will step up inspection efforts on passengers," Shenzhen customs said.

Since April, Luohu Port under Shenzhen customs has been seizing at least 10 smuggled iPads a day.

Smuggled new iPads are being sold by some shops in Beijing's Zhongguancun market, but the sales haven't been so optimistic.

"The sales of new iPad are quite gloomy," said Zhang Hao, a seller in Zhongguancun.

(China Daily 03/20/2012 page3)