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Q: If I bring more than one "new iPad" back with me from the US, will they get confiscated?
I leave for the states next month and come back in June.
I have a couple of Chinese friends that have helped me out a lot this year and I wanted to give them each a new iPad as a way of saying "thanks".
Is there any chance that this will be allowed at customs or is it basically assumed that anyone bringing more than one into China plans to resell it?
Thanks
12 years 25 weeks ago in Visa & Legalities - China
I seriously doubt they will be confiscated. You bought them you are the owner they can't take it because think about it what would they do with it? The only thing they could do is keep it for themselves or sell it to somebody. So if they did try to confiscate it you know what to do and you know your rights just tell them to back off if they do.
FruitIsGood:
Extending on that, say one is for class, one for personal use, and one for _____. Try to make a rationalization for why you need so many.
I put it at about 0.01% chance you'll need to say anything. (for 3, right?)
better ask some one in the airport or aviation income tax buddies, they will not confiscate but its possible you may pay custom duty on it you are not buying it from duty free shops in side the airports... there is a possibility of it
You'll be taxed/duty on anything that is not for personal use or that they deem as improbable for personal use.
Another thing, I was considering an iPad to bring to China, but the Apple rep said that an iPad bought in the states won't work in China because of the internet connectivity or something. I don't know if he was goofy or not, but you might want to check on that.
cooter:
If you just stick with the wifi only iPad, then you should be golden. I brought one for a friend here....works fine.
If you are talking about 2 or 3 iPads, you should have no problems, just make sure you load a few things (NO NUDITY) on them to be able to claim they are for your use and not really new). Worse case would be you pay entrance duty on them, but I have brought back many things and never had a problem since never searched.
Now, if you bring 50 then it will be a different color story.
cooter:
Yeah the big key here is "never searched". They can't fault you for what they don't know about. I would also recommend keeping the iPad's in your carry-on luggage, not in your checked luggage.
HappyExPat:
Cooter: In most Chinese Customs area, like at many other International airports abroad, there is a line with "nothing to declare". I always choose that line, and walk trhu without challenges. And yes, normally I have nothing to declare, sometimes may have 2 or 3 bottles of booze, instead of one. Maybe I have been lucky, but if caught it should be no big problem, because it is never in huge quantities. I have gone to Hong Kong to purchase many electronic items, such as TV, music system, DVD player, digital cameras, cell phones, etc, and always walk back into China, thru Customs, with box in my hand in plain view, and no one ever stopped me for anything. I will say it again, 2 or 3 iPads, outside original packing boxes, inside luggage, will be no problem. But 50 of them in their original cantoons will probably raise some eyebrows. When I moved to China 2 years ago, I brought in my suitcases my desktop computer, my Lexmark scanner/printer, and my 17 inches HP laptop and my 10 inches one for traveling. Declared them on form, and walked thru customs without a problem
Chancy, but a lot of people get by with it, the big problem would be if you buy them and they are confiscated. If you want to bring two or three you should have no problem. Legally, the only thing they can do is confiscate them, no legal ramifications other than confiscation of goods
How many girl friends do you have here?
I thought if I ever got caught in an iPad moment, I would buy a broken one cheap and tell her to be careful with it because i will not buy her another one,, doubt she will ever mention that it no work.
Well, if the Customs Officer is female and single, you may be "taken to a honeymoon suite"...
