Tips for Getting Through Customs

China

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If you are traveling to Beijing you should know ahead what you would need to get through customs. To gain entry into the city you must fill out a baggage declaration with two copies and present it to customs when you get there. Keep the carbon copy they give you, you will need it when you leave. You may bring in food, two bottles of liquor and two cartons of cigarettes duty free. Electronics such as radios, tape recorders, camera and movie cameras may be brought in but you have to list them on your declaration form and you must leave the city with them upon returning to customs.

You may bring in gift for family or friends in China but they must be listed as such on the declaration form. Customs allows you to bring in as much foreign currency as you like and you can bring in Chinese travelers checks and you are allowed to leave with the unused money. The Customs department is pretty fair when it comes to bringing in items to their country. But there are things that are not allowed.

You may not bring in Arms, ammunition or explosives; you may not bring in radio transmitters or receivers and any parts that would be consistent with such. Habit-forming drugs are not allowed into the country. You may not and they are very strict about this, you may not bring in Manuscripts, printed matter, films, pictures, gramophone records, cinematographic films, loaded tape recording and videotapes. You cannot bring in unsanitary type food from other countries such as meats and perishable foods.

When leaving China as a tourist you must bring the carbon copy of the declaration forms that you used to get through customs coming in. When you buy things in China upon leaving you must show receipts, selling or buying things in China without receipts is prohibited. Also anything listed above that was not allowed to be brought in cannot be brought out. In addition to that list, you cannot bring out rare books on Chinese history, revolution and culture. You cannot bring out precious stones, metal or jewels. Valuable plants, seeds and animals are restricted from being taken out of Beijing.

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