Shenzhen customs seized 222 dead birds, sources with customs said Wednesday.
The South China Wildlife Identification Center identified the birds as white-breasted emeralds.
Customs officials said the birds were found in four packages carried by a middle-aged woman from Hong Kong and had been preserved to retain their original appearance.
Each bird measures more than 20 cm long and has brightly colored feathers. The woman said the birds were scheduled to be transported to a factory to be used as decorations on jeans.
Animal bodies are prohibited from entering customs in China.