Statue Confiscated by Swiss Customs Returned to China

A terracotta statue dating back to about 200 BC has been returned to the Chinese authorities after being intercepted by customs in Switzerland, the Swiss government said Friday.

The statue from the Han dynasty measures about 47 centimeters (18.5 inches) and is thought to be of a servant, the culture ministry said in a statement.

It was recovered by customs officers at Basel Mulhouse airport in a package originating from Britain and bound for an address in the canton of Vaud, near Geneva.

"In Switzerland, cultural items must be declared," said the ministry, adding that because the parcel was not declared as such, it was confiscated.