Getting Ready To Go

Customs Declaration

There are red and green channel in Chinese customs. Take the red one if you have something to declare, otherwise the green one. If you are uncertain which channel you should take, then take the red one.

If you take the red channel the customs officer will check to see whether you have to pay duty, deposit the items at Customs, or allow you to take them into China but take them out on your departure. If you take things such as computers, cameras, video cameras, gold and silver, printed or recorded materials, or anything more than you need during your travel in China, you have to fill in the 'Customs Luggage Declaration Form'. Similarly, if you are planning to leave any sort of significant item behind, you should also fill out the form.

A copy of the form must be retained by the traveler and be submitted to Customs when leaving the country. All the items declared on the form must be brought out of China or else import duty will be charged on them.

Visitors are allowed to carry into China a limited quantity of duty-free goods including:

• 2 liters of alcoholic beverages
• 400 cigarettes
  
• 50g (2 ounces) of gold or silver
  
• US$ less than 5,000
  
• Chinese RMB with a total value less than 20,000 yuan
  
• Reasonable amount of perfume
  
• 1 still camera and reasonable amount of film
  
• Prohibited imports include: fresh fruit, arms, ammunition and explosives, printed matter, films ortapes 'detrimental to China', narcotic drugs, animals and plants.

Remember All the receipts of the valuable articles, such as jewelry, jade, gold and silver ornaments, handicrafts, artifacts, paintings and calligraphy, you bought in China should be kept for the exit check. Antiques are not permitted to leave China without the proper 'Certificates for the Export of Cultural Relics' from the Chinese Authorities.

Prohibited items

Guns, imitation arms or toy weapons, ammunitions and explosives of all kinds

Counterfeit currency and securities

Printed matter, films, photos, gramophone records, cinematographic films, loaded recording tapes and video-tapes, compact discs (video & audio), storage media for computers and other articles which are detrimental to the political, economic, cultural and ethics of China Deadly poisons of all kinds

Opium, heroin, morphine, marijuana and other narcotic or hallucinatory drugs

Infected animals, plants and products; injurious insects and other harmful organisms

Foodstuffs, medicines and other articles coming from epidemic-stricken areas or those easy to spread diseases

Packing essentials

The best packing question is 'do people where I am headed live without this item'? Don't pack the stuff which is readily available in the hotels you will be staying. Don't cram your suitcase with unnecessary items so you'll have room for the 'treasures' you collect along the way.

The rule of thumb is to pack lightly, and bring casual clothes. Travel in China involves a lot of walking. A sturdy, comfortable pair of walking shoes is an absolute. Make sure to check current weather before you decide what clothes to pack. A sports coat and a nice shirt for man, and one or two dresses or pantsuits for women will suit the most formal occasions to be encountered in China. Travelers should bring shirts, sweaters and jackets that can be worn in layers to suit a range of climates. Shorts (for both men and women) are fine for summer days though not recommended when visiting religious shrines. Remember, dress for Comfort, not for Style.

• You can take the checklist below into account.

• Electrical converter and adapter plugs. China's electrical system operates at 220 volts.

• Common toiletries, cold and digestive medications, lip balm, sanitary napkins and any over-the-counter medicines you generally use.

• Chewing gum, mints or throat lozenges to keep your mouth moist.

• Reading materials, including a guidebook on the places you will see.

• Sunscreen lotion and sunglasses.

• A light raincoat or an umbrella except in winter months.

• Camera and film. Be aware that while print film is available in most places, slide film may be difficult to find. And be sure to pack extra batteries.

• A notebook to keep track of all the exciting things happening on the trip.

First Aid Kit Packing List

Here's a list of things you should have with you...just in case.

• Your prescription medication - you should bring an ample supply with you for the entire duration of your trip. Bring along the prescriptions, just in case you are questioned (highly doubtful) in customs. See your physician before you go to China to ensure you have all the prescriptions you need before you begin your travel.
• Headache medication such as Tylenol or Advil. Tylenol is good too especially if you end up with a fever.
• Diarrhea/nausea medication is essential as even if the food you eat is fine - it could upset your stomach because you aren't used to it. For bad cases of diarrhea, it's great to have Cypro along with you. Ask your physician about prescribing it for you.
• Diamox or other altitude sickness medication if you plan on going to Tibet or other high-altitude locations.
• Bandaids for the occasional blister from long walks.
• Ace bandage for the twisted ankle that might occur on the Great Wall or other hikes.
• Nail scissors perfect for cutting bandages and other essentials.