Dozens of Chinese restaurants are importing shark fins using a loophole in customs laws that allows passengers to bring them in their luggage for personal consumption, a shark conservation charity has claimed.

The loophole came to light after trading standards officers raided a Chinese restaurant and confiscated illegally imported shark fins.

More than 70 million sharks a year are killed for their fins. Many die slowly and painfully when fishermen throw them back in the water after slicing off their most valuable parts.

The Royal China Club restaurant in the West End of London was investigated by trading standards officers after Jason Chan, its marketing manager, told The Independent that the restaurant sold shark fin soup and other exotic items not on the menu, including