Hermès Bag Seized by US Customs ： Owner Gets Only ¥1,160 Back

A ¥450,000 Hermès Mini Kelly II shipped from Shenzhen to New York was seized by U.S. customs. The buyer recovered just ¥1,160 after the court ruled on declared value. Key lesson: insure high-value goods properly.

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Hermès Bag Seized by US Customs ： Owner Gets Only ¥1,160 Back

Source: OT-Team(G), 看看新闻

A luxury bag worth ¥450,000 was seized by U.S. customs after being shipped from China to New York—and the buyer ultimately recovered just ¥1,160.

The case offers an important warning for anyone in China shipping high-value items overseas: declaring the correct value and choosing adequate insurance can be crucial if something goes wrong in transit.

In February 2025, D purchased a limited-edition Hermès Mini Kelly II made of crocodile leather with a purple-and-silver finish for ¥450,000. D then asked a Shenzhen transportation company he had worked with before to ship the bag to New York, with the seller sending it directly to the company's Shenzhen warehouse.

When the company received the package, the shipping documents listed its declared insured value at just ¥500. During their WeChat communications about the shipment, D never told the company that the package contained a Hermès bag or disclosed its actual value. The company therefore handled it as ordinary cargo and charged a shipping fee of only ¥660.

The package was later inspected and detained by U.S. customs in New York. According to the transportation company, the entire shipment pallet was held because of issues involving other goods on the same pallet, meaning the Hermès bag could neither be returned nor delivered to D.

D subsequently sued the company, seeking compensation for the bag's actual value of ¥450,000. The company argued that it should only refund the shipping fee, saying it handled "sensitive goods" and that the associated risks were borne by the customer. It also pointed to the ¥500 declared value.

Hermès Bag Seized by US Customs ： Owner Gets Only ¥1,160 Back

The Shenzhen Qianhai Cooperation Zone People's Court found that although the company could not prove exactly why the goods were detained, it had failed to fulfill its delivery obligation and therefore breached the contract. However, the court also found that D had significant fault.

The court noted that D had not proactively disclosed the item's exceptionally high value, had not selected a shipping method or insurance coverage appropriate to that value, and had effectively accepted the ¥500 declared value without objection. The court also held that a ¥450,000 handbag was far beyond what a carrier could reasonably anticipate when it was unaware of the item's true value.

As a result, the court ordered the transportation company to refund the ¥660 shipping fee and pay ¥500 in compensation based on the declared value, for a total of just ¥1,160.

D was also required to bear the case acceptance and preservation fees, totaling nearly ¥10,000.

A Warning for Overseas Shipping

For anyone shipping expensive watches, jewelry, handbags, electronics or other high-value goods from China overseas, the case highlights a simple but important point:

Don't underestimate the importance of the declared value.

If the actual value of an item is not disclosed and the shipment is insured for only a small amount, a later dispute may not result in compensation anywhere close to the item's purchase price—even if the carrier is found to have breached its delivery obligations.

Itch-Scratching Service in Shenzhen ： 300 Yuan/hr Stress Relief

Zhang Xiaoqiao's Suma chain in Shenzhen offers 300 yuan/hour itch-scratching to reduce stress and improve sleep. With two stores earning 100,000 yuan monthly, the service targets stressed city dwellers, no weekend surcharge mentioned, and plans 100 outlets nationwide.

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A man in southern China has launched an itch-scratching chain brand, generating monthly earnings of 100,000 yuan (US$15,000) from his two outlets.

This surprising venture is spearheaded by 32-year-old Zhang Xiaoqiao, who opened his first itch-scratching store in Shenzhen’s Baoan District in early May, followed by a second location in the city’s Futian District a month later, as reported by the Xiaoxiang Morning Herald.

At these two venues, branded as Suma, staff wear specially designed pointed nails to gently scratch customers’ bodies while they lie face down on beds, similar to a massage setting.

Charging 300 yuan (US$40) per hour, the service aims to alleviate stress and enhance sleep quality. Occasionally, staff will scratch specific itchy areas to help customers relax and even elicit laughter.

“In first-tier cities, people generally experience high levels of stress. As a result, this service is in great demand,” Zhang shared with the media.

Since there are no precedents for this type of service in China, Zhang had to independently research and develop effective scratching techniques from the ground up.

According to Zhang, his two stores collectively generate a gross income of 100,000 yuan monthly and have already reached the break-even point while also starting to turn a profit.

“We serve both male and female customers, with males comprising about 70 per cent,” Zhang noted. “Some customers have said our service is more relaxing than a massage, leading to a strong base of returning clients.”

Itch-Scratching Service in Shenzhen ： 300 Yuan/hr Stress Relief

generated by doubao

Zhang, a native of Hubei province in central China, is no stranger to exploring new ventures. Following his graduation from a lesser-known university, he tried seven different jobs in a single year.

Before turning 30, he had founded two companies in the cross-border e-commerce sector, though both struggled to succeed.

Two years ago, he was involved in the we-media industry but failed to make a significant impact.

Last year, while browsing short videos on social media, he came across a clip featuring a woman scratching her husband’s itches. He noticed many viewers commenting that they would pay for someone to do the same for them.

He recalled a comforting childhood memory of his father often scratching his back, which helped him fall into a peaceful sleep, inspiring him to open an itch-scratching store.

Now, Zhang frequently faces the question: “Is itch-scratching a legitimate job?”

He plans to open 100 outlets nationwide and, more importantly, hopes to establish itch-scratching as a widely recognised profession.

The striking appearance of their long, pointed nails is designed to promote relaxation, reportedly offering a superior experience to traditional massages by alleviating stress and improving sleep quality. Photo: Douyin

The story has sparked considerable attention and humorous discussions across Chinese social media.

“Are you considering taking on an apprentice? I want to learn from you and open a store in Shanghai,” quipped one user.

Another person commented: “I’m intrigued by the service. Itch-scratching sounds like a great way to feel comfortable and completely relaxed.”

However, some sceptics question the viability of the business, with one person wondering: “Are there really that many people willing to pay 300 yuan for a scratch?”

Source:

Editor:Vivi G

Shanghai Highland Games 2026 ： Tickets & Family Fun Sep 12

The 2nd annual Shanghai Highland Games brings Scottish athletics, bagpipes, food & kids' activities to NAIS Pudong on Sep 12. Pre-sale adults RMB150, family packs from RMB350. No weekend surcharge.

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Shanghai Highland Games 2026 ： Tickets & Family Fun Sep 12

Shanghai Scottish is proud to present the second annual Shanghai Highland Games, taking place at Nord Anglia International School (NAIS) Pudong on Saturday, September 12.

Click above to see video

After a fantastically fun first edition last year, the event will once again bring a taste of Scotland’s legendary traditions to town.

Supported by the Scottish Government Office in China, expect a vibrant day of traditional athletics, kilts, bagpipes, and community spirit at this iconic cultural celebration.

Click above to see video

Here's what you can look forward to on the day...

Opening Ceremony

The day will kick off in style with a pipe band Opening Ceremony, and an opening address by British Consul General Matt Burney.

Honorary Chieftain

Nick Watson

Nick Watson has been working in China for 40 years and is a longstanding member of Shanghai’s Scottish community.

In 1986, he signed a letter of intent to establish a 50/50 joint venture in Shanghai, which was formally approved in 1989 and, according to the British Consulate, became the first 50/50 registered joint venture company in Shanghai.

Through his company, Moore Watson Ltd, Nick has spent decades in the mineral processing industry, supplying equipment for major infrastructure projects including the Three Gorges Dam.

Now approaching his 86th birthday, he continues to live and work in Shanghai and was featured in the BBC Scotland documentary Scots in China.

The Shanghai Highland Games is delighted to welcome Nick as its Honorary Chieftain for 2026, recognizing his remarkable contribution to Scotland-China connections.

Events

Overseen by Adriana Sports, athletes will take on five classic challenges, up from four last year.

New! Sheaf Toss

Using a pitchfork, competitors hurl a heavy burlap bag of straw straight up and over a raised horizontal bar, aiming for height rather than distance.

The bar is raised higher and higher until only the strongest arms remain.

Caber Toss

The goal here is not distance but accuracy: competitors flip a large, tree trunk of a pole (the caber) end-over-end so it lands in a straight line from the thrower.

Tyre Flip

This test of strength and stamina involves lifting and flipping a massive tractor tyre end-over-end repeatedly, going as far as they can in a set time.

Weights for Distance

Athletes throw a heavy weight attached to a handle with one hand, using momentum to swing it forward and release it for maximum distance.

Hammer Throw

Competitors spin to build momentum, before releasing a heavy ball attached to a long handle, aiming to launch the 'hammer' as far as they can.

Bagpipe Competition

There will be a Bagpiping Competition, showcasing musical talent from across the country, endorsed by the National Piping Centre of Scotland itself!

Listen to the finest pipers compete in The CLASP and NPC Junior Championships, proudly supporting the China Bagpipe Association.

Kids Highland Games

It’s not just for the grown-ups. There’ll also be a Kids' Highland Games and other activities—this is a fun day out for the whole family.

Ceilidh Band

The Tipsy Fiddler Ceilidh Band will be performing for most of the afternoon, and will be inviting everybody to join them for a Traditional Scottish Dance!

Food & Drink

It wouldn’t be a proper Highland gathering without a bit o' feastin', and feastin' there will be!

Fou Bar 福吧

A perfect marriage of Scottish spirit and Chinese meaning, Shanghai Highland Games Fou Bar 福吧 takes its name from the Scots word fou (meaning drunk or full) and the Chinese character 福 (happiness and blessing).

Run in partnership with Chuar Bar, it's the heart of the festivities—where competitors refuel, spectators toast, and everyone raises a glass to good fortune, good company, and a good dram.

Haggis, Neeps & Tatties

Breakfast Champion dishes up hearty classics including Haggis, Neeps & Tatties.

Scotland's national dish, this hearty plate brings together peppery, crumbly sheep's offal pudding (haggis) with creamy mashed turnips (neeps) and buttery mashed potatoes (tatties).

Served steaming hot with a generous dollop of gravy, it's a rustic, soul-warming meal that turns humble ingredients into something legendary.

Black Pudding

A staple of the traditional Scottish breakfast, this savoury blood sausage is made from pork blood, fat, and oatmeal, packed into a casing and sliced thick.

It's fried until crisp on the outside and tender within, delivering a rich, earthy flavour that divides opinion (some people are just wee wimps) but defines a nation's plate.

Haggis Dumplings

We will also have Haggis Dumplings from Eat Dumplings: a Chinese-made, bite-sized taste of Scotland.

They will also be selling regular dumplings for the less adventerous.

Haggis Pizza

Homeslice will be serving up Scottish-inspired treats like Haggis Pizza. A bold fusion of Italian-American tradition and Scottish soul, this pie swaps classic pepperoni for mini meatballs of peppery haggis

Irn-Bru

Homeslice will also be giving away shots of Irn-Bru with every slice of Haggis Pizza.

Irn-Bru is a classic, bright orange soft drink, and a source of national pride due to being “Made in Scotland from Girders.”

100% true story.

Deep-Fried Mars Bars

Completing the Caledonian consumption is, of course, the Deep-Fried Mars Bar.

IMPORTANT: While deep-fried Mars Bars have been much maligned and derided, we can absolutely, 100% guarantee that it is only by people who have never tried one.

Just look at that picture above—this is a God-tier culinary innovation.

Tickets

The second annual Shanghai Highland Games will take place at NAIS Pudong from 11am on Saturday, September 12, with events running from 1pm to 5.30pm.

Tickets are priced as follows:

Adult: Pre-sale RMB150 | Door RMB180
Child: Pre-sale RMB100 | Door RMB125
Family of 3 (2 Adults + 1 Child): Pre-sale RMB350 | Door RMB425
Family of 4 (2 Adults + 2 Children): Pre-sale RMB400 | Door RMB500

Click below to get your tickets now:

Sat Sep 12, 11am-5.30pm; RMB100-500

NAIS Pudong, 2888 Junmin Gong Lu, by Henghe Zhong Lu, Pudong District 军民公路2888号, 近恒和中路

Highland Games History

The Highland Games are a centuries-old tradition, believed to date back to the 11th century when King Malcolm III of Scotland gathered clans in the Highlands to find the strongest and most skilled men for his court.

Over the centuries, the Games evolved to celebrate not only athleticism but also music, dance, and Scottish identity.

Famously described as Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite sporting event after equestrianism, the Braemar Highland Games have been attended by the reigning monarch since 1848, making them one of the longest-standing royal traditions in Scotland.

Today, Highland Games are celebrated worldwide—bringing together Scots and local communities in a shared celebration of strength, heritage, and cultural pride.

Want to Get Involved?

The Shanghai Highland Games are looking for sponsors, vendors, participants, and volunteers. If you're interested, please scan the relevant QR code below:

▼For more news, click 'Read more' (阅读原文) below.