Two Chinese nationals are arrested and sentenced for illegal hunting and trading in ivory at a local court in Tanzania on March 20, 2016. [Photo: Weibo]

It's being reported a local court in Tanzania has sentenced two Chinese nationals to 30 years in prison for illegal hunting and trading in ivory.

A local newspaper is reporting 31-year old Xu Fujie and 51-year old Huang Jin are also facing a fine equivalent to around 20-million US dollars.

The pair have been convicted of illegally possessing over 700 elephant tusks.

Lawyers for the two are reportedly planning to launch an appeal.

It's being described as one of the most serious sentences handed down for smuggling ivory ever in Tanzania.

The sentencing comes just months after a Chinese woman was also charged with smuggling ivory in Tanzania.

Yang Fenglan, who has been dubbed the 'Queen of Ivory,' is accused of trafficking millions of dollars worth of elephant tusks.

She is still awaiting trial.

A pile of ivory smuggled by the two Chinese nationals in Tanzania [Photo: Weibo]