I heard you can only take with you one calculator, one camera, one pet, and so on. Furthermore, the restrictions for sending in gifts to chinese residents are tough, cumulatively at most 100 yuan a year. How much cash can you enter the Chinese border with? Traveller's checks for how much? Do you need to keep the receipts of every good/service you buy in China, and present it upon exit? Can you get away with paying export/import taxes? If so, how expensive is it? Can you get money sent to you by international bank transfer or western union?
Has anyone had personal experiences? Consequences of carelessness?
2006-09-12 06:32:13 · 3 answers · asked by jarynth2 2 in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ China
Customs in China is no more strict or lax in comparison with other international airports I've visited...
Having said that...
I recently visited China, and had several camaras, an i-pod, over a thousand dollars in Traveller's checks, $800 in US cash, one suitcase that contained gifts, and all of the other usual vacation items. We did not have any difficulty entering China, and departing was a breeze too (although, because we were going to the US, we had to use a separate inspection line and remove all liquids and cosmetics from our carry on luggage).
You will have to fill out a customs form, but we didn't declare anything, because most of the stuff we had were gifts, or not worth much. If you purchase anything expensive, or that looks like it could be an antique, I would recommend that you declare it and keep the original receipts.
Regarding gifts, every Spring Festival and for my friends birthdays, I send expensive gifts to them by courier (FedEx). I always use the actual value of the items on the air waybill and have never had a problem. I don't know of any restrictions for sending gifts into China.
It is very easy to get cash in China. You can use your ATM card at almost any bank (the Visa and MC type ATM cards are the most convenient), and hotels will also exchange foreign currency for yuan and usually have a good exchange rate.
Good luck with your trip - don't worry too much. China is a great country to visit and very good to tourists - they love them! You should have a wonderful time.
2006-09-12 12:06:49 · answer #1 · answered by TravelOn 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
One thing the other person didn't mention is that you need a VISA to get into China (not Hong Kong, but mainland China). Allow a few weeks to get that done.
China is very friendly and the airports are fairly easy to navigate. I've always had a local person help me around, although I think you could swing it even if you don't speak Chinese. Quite a few people speak English.
Hotels are like in the US. You can stay cheap or at a 5 star hotel. Hotels will convert your money at a pretty fair exchange rate. I've never been checked at customs on my trips to/from China. I have never heard of any restrictions. I would suggest not bringing any controversial materials (magazines, religious pamphlets), as they control the media pretty closely there.
2006-09-12 19:36:23 · answer #2 · answered by Stu 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
went to china twice last year and once this year, didn't take much in but brought out gifts, candy, etc. they looked, and then banded it up. then when i entered the u.s. they x-rayed it, no problems. i didn't take much u.s. currency because i used my debit card to get chinese yuan from an atm......at no extra cost i might add, very convenient. i had a great time each time i went.
2006-09-12 23:02:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋