Statistics

Opium imported into China - statistics (annually)

Chests Year

1729 - 200 chests

1800 - 4,500 chests

1830's - 40,000 chests

1858 - 70,000 chests

A Shanxi opium chest. Opium usually arrived in chests in the shape of small balls 

Opium in the form of a small ball