customs declaration in China

[panda23]

Does anyone have first-hand experience with clearing customs in China when the value of your stuff is over the 2000RMB limit? I've been asked by a friend to bring a smartphone as a "gift" as the cost of these is much greater inside China. However, if the duty I'd have to pay would eat up a lot of this savings, or the process will create something of an ordeal for me, then its not worth the hassle and buying the product in China would be more convenient. I've read on a travel site that this process is no walk in the park and is not recommended.

[roddy]

I wouldn't even declare it, it's extremely rare for customs to pay any attention. If you're worried, dump the packaging and say it's your work phone or something.

[panda23]

I wouldn't even declare it, it's extremely rare for customs to pay any attention. If you're worried, dump the packaging and say it's your work phone or something.

so when it gets "left in China" for someone else to use, no one will know it was brought in without being declared?

[edelweis]

@panda: if you went with a dozen phones in their packaging, there could be some suspicion.

But as Roddy said, just two phones without packaging is perfectly ok for "personal use". You can say one is for work, and the other one your personal one, or you can say you want to keep your foreign SIM in one of the phone in case there is any emergency back home, and buy a local SIM to use in the other phone. And no, they won't check afterwards. (If you're feeling paranoid, you can buy the phone with cash so as to avoid linking your credit card with the serial number, and abstain from filling any warranty papers, or give a fake name. But really, with the millions of phones in China, no one will ever check.)

Actually, (depending on the model and operating system) phones sold in Europe often don't have Chinese menus out of the box. If your friend is Chinese, you might as well warn him or her that a bit of tech stuff will be needed to get the Chinese menus.

[jbradfor]

"In the past" when entering China, one had to declare ALL of ones electronics, even for personal use. When leaving, they would confirm you still had them, and make you pay duty if you didn't. That time is long past.

[imron]

I don't think I've ever been stopped by Chinese customs. Even when I've had stuff to declare I've just been waved through.

so when it gets "left in China" for someone else to use, no one will know it was brought in without being declared?

Phones getting lost/stolen in China is so common, no-one will bat an eyelid.

[panda23]

(If you're feeling paranoid, you can buy the phone with cash so as to avoid linking your credit card with the serial number, and abstain from filling any warranty papers, or give a fake name. But really, with the millions of phones in China, no one will ever check.)

Actually, (depending on the model and operating system) phones sold in Europe often don't have Chinese menus out of the box. If your friend is Chinese, you might as well warn him or her that a bit of tech stuff will be needed to get the Chinese menus.

1. it has to be bought online because its never available in stores

2. what about iphone in North America? Will it come with Chinese or not? I was unaware (or overlooked) the fact it might only come with English and French.

[edelweis]

Regarding Chinese menus, I don't know about iphones sold in North America, anyway I'm sure there are lots of mobile phone repair shops in China that know how to deal with that. Perhaps someone here has more info...

[roddy]

The iPhone can be very easily switched between languages.

[murrayjames]

For Android phones and tablets, install an app called "MoreLocale". It's free in the Android store or online.

[panda23]

I don't think I've ever been stopped by Chinese customs. Even when I've had stuff to declare I've just been waved through.

so if i decide to be a 'good foreigner' (I do want to stay long-term after all) and follow the regulation and declare what needs to be declared, chances are customs won't even stop me to fill out the declaration form? In which case, no one has actually seen what this form looks like or what info i have to fill in (personal info of the recipient of the gift?)

[roddy]

I think you 'declare' by walking through the green or red channel - and as indicated, the chances of being stopped on your way through the green channel are minimal to say the least.

[imron]

And the chances of being stopped if you go through the red channel are just as high. On my last visit to China, I had something which according to the declaration form I should declare, but when I went through the red channel and up to the only person around who looked like they might take an interest, they just waved me through without even wanting to see the declaration form I'd filled out.