Customs officials seize protected coral fragments from traveler

Customs and Tax Service officers in Poland seized seven fragments of reef-building coral from a passenger traveling from Egypt to Bydgoszcz. The traveler had collected the 75 grams of coral on a beach as a souvenir but lacked the necessary permits for transport into the European Union.

Under the CITES Washington Convention and EU regulations regarding endangered species, transporting protected specimens or their fragments without proper documentation is illegal. Violating nature protection laws in this manner can result in penalties ranging from three months to five years of imprisonment. The seized items have been secured by the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Customs and Tax Office in Toruń.

Authorities warn travelers that many natural items, such as shells, coral, ivory, and certain skins, are strictly regulated. In other regions, such as Greece and Sardinia, removing natural elements like stones or sand can result in significant fines, ranging from 400 to 3,000 euros.