Bringing in Books

[Harvey]

Hello everyone,

I know that books that are on the shelves in China, are different from those we can get in the states or other countries. Is there any legal issues around bringing in books for personal use that may not be able to be bought or sold in China?

Like, could I get in trouble for bringing in Wild Grass, or some other iffy topic related book about China, or history?

- Harvey

[wushijiao]

I've never heard of the people at customs looking through bags for banned books. Especially if the books are in English, I strongly doubt there will be any problems.

[roddy]

Likewise. Very rare to have you bags checked on the way in, and even if you do the worst that's likely to happen is that the books would be confiscated. Bringing in Chinese material for distribution would probably the only way to get in trouble - and if you do that you deserve to be locked up for stupidity anyway - that's what email is for.

[chenpv]

, Ohhh, Which custom are you passing? How about giving me the whole list of iffy books you want to bring and I can help telephone some bureaus for confirmation. on your arrival?

[woliveri]

Nobody checked my bags for books at all when I came in.

What I did wish I broght in was more of my Chinese Language books from the states. I had a very large, nice quality selection but because of the weight, I decided not to bring them, bringing only a few. Turns out, it's very difficult to find books for learning Chinese language here (I'm in Shanghai). Every book store I go in is FILLED with books to learn English with only a very small section on learning Chinese.

It is driving me nuts!!

So, if you have a good selection amassed that you like I suggest you bring those with you.