While living in China for a year, I accidentally bought over 100 (presumably) pirated DVDs for 6 RMB (less than $1) each.
I would like to take them home with me, but if there's any chance of a problem, I'll just ditch them here. I keep them in a normal-looking CD sleeve case, without packaging. They look like legit DVDs except for the Chinese and horrible English translations.
I can play them on my computer, and I have a compact DVD player I can transport, so that's not a problem. Does anyone know what the possible implications could be if U.S. Customs had a problem with them? What would be the likelihood of getting stopped for them? Any chance of pleading ingorance and simply having them confiscated without some stiff punishment?
These would be solely for personal use, of course.
2007-07-10 02:32:17 · 7 answers · asked by Scott 4 in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ China
If found by customs you will have them confiscated. Depending on the day you may be held for smuggling. It's not the value or the amount your bringing in, it's the fact your trying to do it.
2007-07-10 02:44:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fact that you have 100 might be a problem. A couple would probably not. My suggestion is mail them. Wrap them up as a gift, and just take them to the post office. Most of the packages I sent from China were not opened, esp. not the ones that were wrapped up. And make sure not to write the quantity. Perhaps write Gifts and DVD's on the customs forms.
2007-07-10 04:05:46 · answer #2 · answered by GrammastolaRosea 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The movie and music industry's are spending a lot of money lobbying the U.S. Government and many other governments to stop this exact thing. U.S. customs is looking specifically for bootleg DVDs. The British are as well. With just a few they might let you slide. 100 units. They catch you probably get more than just confiscation. Its not worth it. Give them to a friend. You have probably seen them all any way.
2007-07-10 03:38:32 · answer #3 · answered by Traveler 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
100 DVDs is a problem. I brought in and out of China about 20 CD and DVD without a problem. But 100 can be hard to carry. Like what other said, your best bet is mail them. If not, you can divide them and put them all in different suit cases.
2007-07-10 09:23:18 · answer #4 · answered by Astrid Nannerl 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Believe me, customs WILL have a problem with them. It's a major item they're looking for when it comes to people arriving from Asia. At a minimum they'll confiscate them.
2007-07-10 02:40:38 · answer #5 · answered by Yak Rider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you know package the covers and he actual cds dfferently...go to ems and have em shipped...should work that way....or simply fly from Singapore, reduces suspicion
2007-07-11 04:08:37 · answer #6 · answered by Pee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
These DVD's actually have amazing picture quality...Why don't you just send it to your US home?
2007-07-10 07:19:07 · answer #7 · answered by southerner 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋