I am contemplating having a few things shipped to me in China.

I have two things I need to ship:

1. A new ATM card (old one expired). I can ship this fast and separately.
2. Some over-the-counter stuff like probiotics and spirulina and a camera lens.

I have read some people run into medical inspection issues with anything that looks like medicine. Any experience with this? Also what about duties on electronics? This is an old manual 35mm lens that was made 20 years ago (I doubt the inspectors will care).

I am making a trip to Hong Kong in a few weeks and thought maybe I could ship there instead. If it's a huge hassle to get a lens and meds into China then I might do that.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Matt

Minerals, vitamins and supplements are treated under the same regulations and controls as pharmaceuticals in China.
Spirulina is everywhere here. Other supplements can be expensive (GNC is here but expensive) or the local brands are cheap but people do not trust the quality of local brands. It would be cheaper to buy supplements (inc GNC) in HK.
Importing of lens would be hit and miss in KMG. Importing stuff to tier one cities is easy, they really are too busy with real trade to mess around with parcels. However, we have had no end of problems in KMG and they seem to always want some money. If you can do it through HK it would be easier. Also stuff coming to Kunming must clear customs twice (port of entry and KMG), it takes weeks and there are often foul-ups.

Unless you are a dedicated artistic photographer, it may be better to use your time in HK to buy a new digital camera. It will pay for itself in development costs (not spent) of photos.

I get vitamin C, aspirin, Tylenol, Omega-3 fish oil, and Zinc tabs from the US. In the last three weeks I received 1000 tablets, 1000mg Vitamin-C and 400 Omega-3 1000mg capsules with no problem.

First package mailed "Priority" 18 Mar, in my hands Mar 30. Second box mailed "First Class" also on 18 Mar, was in my hands 08 Apr after the three days holiday. We were testing transit time and cost. I have been doing this since 2006 to Beijing and Kunming. Never was charged duty, never questioned, never lost a box.

I have a cost analysis of the stuff I get and local products. The shipping costs are insignificant.

@spelunkus
Like most things in China and most especially in Kunming, enforcement is like the weather - sometimes it rains, sometimes it's dry. Despite my protestations, I receive regular supplies of regularly unused multivitamins, soaps (solid), candies (ok...like those) etc without incident or tax. HOWEVER, occasionally the IPO (international Post Office) gets a burr in their saddle and want to charge a nominal tax, which I nonchalantly pay.

So, go ahead and ship - try to add other crappy stuff - socks, etc (no liquids if possible) and things will usually slide, but don't be surprised if you're occasionally singled out for taxes.

Hopefully I am not asking this before the OP got the answer they were wishing for.

Would it also be the same treatment for having a 10lb bag of protein powder and othrer supplements sent together from the US?

@Geezer, do you use a particular online company for buying your stuff?

I buy from Amazon.com and have it all sent to my son. Most of it is Kirkland brand from Costco at a slightly lower price than in the store. He remails it to me. A few years ago Amazon would send it direct but no longer does so.

We keep the value of each box about $50-$75. Last year I bought an ASUS Transformer tablet and keyboard, Value was $750 and the tax was 200 RMB. Less than 5% tax which makes think laotou is right about the tax being "nomial." China's import duties are on CIF which means the declared value plus insurance plus shipping cost.

Also, I had to go to the IPO to collect the box shipped "Priority" but the box mailed "First Class" was delivered to my home and left with the guards at the gate.

Don't know about 10lb bags but the cost of mailing would be maybe $100 or more. Hope it doesn't get punctured.

Thanks everyone for the info. I'll read through it and respond tomorrow.

Got another package from the US today: Sent Apr 8th First Class, recv'd Apr 22nd. Took 14 days and was delivered to my apartment. Four bottles of coated aspirin, 2,000 325mg tablets.

It all depends on the weight, feel, and writing on the package, and the mood of the inspectors on that day. I have had things shipped with no problems at all. I have also had one very simple, innocent thing shipped, that never made it because it was "Detained".