China's declaration thresholds are lower than most, and a satellite phone or a box of leaflets is a police matter rather than a customs one.
- Cash is declared at two separate thresholds: CNY 20,000 in Chinese currency, or the equivalent of USD 5,000 in foreign currency. The foreign-currency figure is the low one and the one travellers trip over.
- Satellite phones and GPS trackers are controlled. Bringing one without a licence is treated as a security offence, not an import irregularity.
- Political and religious material intended for distribution is prohibited. Personal copies are usually left alone; a carton of the same title is not.
- The duty-free allowance for personal goods is modest and the airport channels are used properly - the green channel is not a formality and bags do go through the scanner on the way in.
- Drones need registration and are barred outright near airports, government buildings and much of Beijing.
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