Packing for Shanghai
 

I am visiting my son and daughter-in-law in January and they have given me a list of things they miss and want me to bring. Most is clothes, sundries, makeup, etc. Are their restrictions as to what I can and cannot pack, along these lines? I know I am allowed two 50 pound pieces of luggage. I have conflicting information about articles of clothing with price tags being confiscated at the airport.

Pack as if you were going to the US. Obviously you want to avoid bringing any materials that are politcally sensitive. I have never seen people's baggages being searched going through the custom for persons with nothing to declare.. It does not make sense to me for article of clothing, even with price tags, being confiscated. Is this a first hand story that you have heard ?
Going through the US custom, I believe each person is allowed to bring in articles up to US $800 duty free. I don't believe there is such a limit through the Chinese custom.

TWO 50 pound pieces of luggage? That's over 40 kilos! Are you traveling first class? Most international flights have a limit of 20 kg unless you're traveling in business or first, or have high level frequent flier membership. The number of pieces is irrelevant.

You might want to double check with your airline, since all of them have gotten very strict about weight allowances in recent years, and the charges for overweight luggage can be quite high on intercontinental flights.

I believe that for carriage to and from the USA the economy class limit is indeed 2 pieces at 23 kg (50 lb) per piece. Americans must have stronger arms than the rest of us. 20 kg (plus 7 kg carry-on limit) is as much as I feel like lugging around.

ibailey, I can't give you a link, but I think you'd be better off going to the horse's mouth, i.e. the official Chinese government customs website, for prohibited or dutiable items. But commonsense will get you most of the way there.

Thanks for input....yes United says I can have 2 bags at 50 lbs each as well as a carry on. My son and daughter-in-law continue to add to the list of things they need but I am sure I will be under the weight. I will definitely check with the customs website.....but I have no need to take anything sensitive....mostly sundries, shoes for big feet, down jackets, etc.

We didn't have any problems bringing with items with tags this fall. Our son was staying and we bought a few things for him to have for his stay.

Shipping is a different story, however.

There are, in theory, limits to what you may bring into China with the intention of leaving it behind. In fact foreigners are almost never searched, and entering China is in general a lot less hard work than entering many another country (including the USA). As you leave the airport your baggage is scanned again, but the only time I've been searched in more than 20 years of residence and visits, is when I had a large book (an art book given to me in Hong Kong). 'Subversion' is of far more interest than customs issues: abandon the bibles, bring the clothes. And if you're still going to worry about the price tags, why don't you... cut them off and carry them separately?

Peter N-H

I returned from Shanghai in Oct of this year, entered and exited via Pudong. I had no problems with either immigration or customs. I had gifts for friends (electronic, food, jewelry and literature), my bags were not searched. I used the "Green Line" both times. Bibles, except for your personal use (that means only one), are not allowed. Clothing, jewelry and electronics are allowed. Two 50 pound pieces of luggage, use the freebie baggage carts when you pick up your luggage and the Green Line to exit, its relatively painless.

Again, thanks for the info.....the green line is good info, including free backage carts. My son will meet me at the airport. As for the books, I was aware that care is needed on transporting questionable editions. I feel more relaxed a ready for this fun adventure.