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Kai6854 · Joined: 09 Sep 2003 Posts: 53 Location: USA

I have a 15" flat screen monitor and a slightly smaller than average CPU desk top computer. They each fit comfortably in my two pieces of luggage that I am planning to check-in (I'm sure to pay an over the limit of weight fee though for my largest piece of luggage where the CPU will be). I have a lot of goodies on my PC that I just don't want to be without in China. Can anyone tell me if I can legally take my PC to China?? Also, I can get a 220 voltage adapter when I get there??

misteradventure · Joined: 18 Aug 2003 Posts: 246

Can't advise you on to take or not, but thought I'd share the geek info:

You probably already have a 110/220 power supply. Make sure you bring a plug adapter. NOt sure if they use the European type 2-round-plugs variety, but that would be all you need....and to throw the little switch in theback.

Most US PC units have the combo power supply since before '98.

I brought my laptop to Poland, but have had no luck getting connected to the 'net . am at a internet cafe now.

As far as 'goodies', be aware that Customs can confiscate your hard-disk and hold it...indefinitely. Big to-do in international circles about this crap. Even in 'civilized' countries like the UK.

Yes, if you haven't heard they hate porn. If you must have it, (or anything else!) put it on a server elsewhere you can later download it from...up to 20GB is not too pricey.

You might also have to pay import duty.

A laptop might be a better bet.

Good luck!

Good luck in China.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I wouldn't trust it in my luggage. It could so easily get damaged and then what. Computers are not meant to be moved much. I bought a laptop for that reason. Maybe you should invest in one and then download your programs before you go.

Kai6854 · Joined: 09 Sep 2003 Posts: 53 Location: USA

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

I think you got excellent advice so far. Here is just another point.
Computers have to be declared upon entry in China. When I last imported one from HK maybe 4 years ago, a import duty of 70% was slapped on its price tag. In the case of a second-hand one, they assume a market price of RMB 2000, taxed at 70 = RMB 1400.
The rate may have been lowered by now, but I doubt you can just ship it into the country. It is a different matter with laptops. You are permitted to import up to one without paying duty.
If you go to Guangdong, you stand a better chance of bringing things across the HK/Guangdong border without paying duty or seeing your drive confiscated. I am not suggesting smuggling, but well, some do it anyway!
You can surface-mail it to Hong Kong poste restante if it is too heavy or too big.

lajzar · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 647 Location: Saitama-ken, Japan

The only way I'd seriously consider taking a desktop computer is by removing the hard drive and leaving the rest behind, then buying a new box on arrival and installing the hard drive in there. Everything else is just excess weight.

This has the addded advantage of not being a "computer", and thus you could get away with not declaring it, as it is probably under any value limits for declaring single item expensive goods too.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Take Lazjar's idea a little further; remove the motherboard, video card, HD and all the other innards except the power supply. Then put them in a casewhen you get to China.

Sell the 15" LCD. The odds of it getting damaged in cargo are too great. And insurance is horrnedous precisely because of those risks.

Alterntively sell the whole machine after you have copied all your documents on to CD's.[/code]