Chinese customs and bringing liquid nicotine, vitamins and medication from abroad

[elias]

So I'm coming to China this summer to do language studies and figured that chinese customs might be interested in some items that I'd like to bring with me. Normally I wouldn't be too worried but having too much stuff that could potentially raise suspicion I thought I'd ask your opinion.

First is liquid nicotine. I've succesfully quit smoking regular cigarettes but have to do with e-cigarettes for the time being. I really wouldn't like to go back to regular stuff when in China so anyone have a clue what to expect if bringing in these liquids? Funnily enough, most of this stuff is produced in China but what about importing a few suspicious looking plastic dropper bottles filled with poisonous stuff? Or do you know if these can be found in retail in country?

Then theres vitamins (B and D) and a few herbal pills. Plus the usual ibuprofein, loperamide, antihistamine, moisturizer and hydrocortisone. And hemp oil which I take because of the omega 3 and 6 that it contains. It doesn't contain any psychoactive substances in amounts that could have any effect on a person (even if you took tens of liters of it) but it is still made of hemp.

All this stuff individually would be ok I guess but all together? Several different pills, balms, liquids in dropper bottles and oil. Loosing this stuff wouldn't be the end of the world but getting in to trouble isn't an option and having to smoke regular cigarettes would suck.

What is your take on this? Will the customs even blink an eye, should I declare some of this stuff or just forget most of these and just take basic essentials I really need?

[liuzhou]

So!

It's highly unlikely that they would even notice or care.

Almost everything you mention (vitamins B and D and a few herbal pills, ibuprofen, loperamide, antihistamine, moisturizer and hydrocortisone) is available. Even hemp oil is available, though they are less euphemistic about it here and go straight for cannabis oil!

I wouldn't even bother bringing them with me. There are better things you can use up your weight allowance on.

Not sure about liquid nicotine, though. On any level.

[kdavid]

Is there a difference between liquid nicotine and the oil used in e-cigarettes?

I had a few friends who switched to e-cigarettes. They were pleased with the oils, of which they found a wide variety on Taobao.

[elias]

Got in with all the stuff mentioned with no questions asked. However, still don't know if importing all the stuff was legal or not.

k-david, yes they are the same. Sure you can order it in China. A lot of the stuff sold in west is also originally ordered from China. It just seems that e-cigarettes haven't really got big here and getting these liquids/oils from some random shop in the neighborhood isn't possible.

[imron]

It just seems that e-cigarettes haven't really got big here

Probably because normal cigarettes are still so popular and there's no taboo about smoking around others.

[alreadytaken]

Well in my case they obviously cared and I was jailed for mailing a toy. So my advice is don't take the risk, especially during political events. China is not like your home country, law enforcement here works for the dictatorship.