Importing Goods to Shanghai :
Shipping your househod goods




Introduction


Work Permit ChinaOfficially, China requires tourists to complete a baggage declaration form in duplicate upon entering the country and submit the duplicate upon departure – but in practice, no customs forms are offered, and baggage spot checks are rare. Travellers are asked to go through the `red channel’ when there is something to declare and the green channel otherwise.

There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency and Chinese Renminbi traveller’s checks that can be brought in; the unspent portion may be taken out. Gifts for relatives or friends in China, or articles carried on behalf of others, must be declared.
Photo:Microsoft Office Clipart

If you are having some furniture shipped to Shanghai from your home country, you will have to pay some duty on the imports. It is essential that you have a detailed packing list of everything you are bringing in as this is how your shipping agent will calculate the duty payable to the government. See e-relocation Shanghai for more details.


If your company is organising your relocation, their shipping agent will take care of all this. If not, make sure you have a shipping agent who you trust. The import procedure is extremely complex, with up to 30 chops (official stamps) being required to get a container from a ship to your home. You must have a residence permit in order to import your personal belongings.

 

Prohibited Goods


Website:
List of prohibited goods: customs http://www.china.org.cn/english/travel/40371.htm

Info:
Arms, ammunition and explosives of all kinds
Radio transmitters and principal parts
Chinese Renminbi in cash
Manuscripts, photographs, film, printed matter, audio- and videotapes and gramophone records that may be detrimental to China's politics, economy, culture and ethics.
Illegal drugs
Pest-infected plants, animals or food products

See also e-relocation Shanghai Step 4 Items to bring or not to bring



Goods Controlled


Website:
Prohibited Goods List and Controlled Goods http://www.china.org.cn/
http://www.china.org.cn/
Info:
Alcohol and tobacco
Radios, tape recorders, cameras, movie cameras -- for personal use and must be re-exported
Jewellery -- for personal use and must be re-exported
Office supplies and furniture -- for personal use
One of each electrical/electronic household item may be imported: TV, stereo, refrigerator, VCR, washer/dryer
Audio cassette tapes, video cassette tapes, compact discs  
Prescription medication
Computers/printers
Fresh fruit
Still film

Dutiable Goods



 Alcohol and tobacco products
Cosmetics

Textiles and fabrics of wool, silk and artificial and synthetic fibers and bedding

Bicycles

Radio transmitters and components

Office equipment (i.e. copiers and fax machines)
Electrical/electronic items, whether new or used, and including computers
Cameras, watches, clocks and their parts and accessories
Cordless or portable phones (Import Permit required)

 

Website:
Customs Site for Travelers
http://www.china.org.cn/english/travel/40371.htm

 


Goods Not to Bring (Expat Advice)




Photo-albums
Clothing for U.S. size 6 and under
Electrical appliances other than 220 V
DVD player - get a local brand here that will play all DVDs
Halloween costumes - Shanghai has an excellent Halloween outlet plus good tailors
Musical instruments - good quality and inexpensive here
Barbecue grills
Drugs of any kind without a letter from your doctor
DVDs -- very inexpensive and easily available


See also e-relocation Shanghai - Step 4 Items to bring or not to bring

Hiring a Driver in Shanghai

Some of the plugs used in China, Taiwan, Japan, Philiipines and Thailand are the same as in the US and Canada.

 

Websites:

 

Goods to Bring (Expat Advice)


 Prescription and Over-the-Counter Drugs with medical certification from your doctor
Clothes for larger sizes
Larger sized shoes for men (>US 32) and women (> US 10) and youth sizes
Underwear large sizes, unpadded bras (B, C and D-Cups)
Fashionable swimwear and larger sizes swimwear (C and D-Cups)
Baby supplies: diapers and ready to mix formula (very expensive locally)
Bed linen to fit your mattresses
Greeting cards (expensive, small selections)
Wrapping paper (expensive, small selections)
Special diet food
Extra pads for your ironing board (sizes here are smaller)
Feminine hygiene products (limited choice of brands and absorbencies -- no Super Plus!)
Cosmetics (do not stock up too much as your skincare may change due to the climate) Watch import duty regulations!
VCR player for your videotapes -- the VCR is extinct in Shanghai
Slides (range is limited )
Corrective Footwear
Party Decorations
Sewing Patterns
Craft Kits
Western Cookbooks
Legal pads
China in Western Design
Holiday decorations and supplies
Music Books in English
Children's books