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Import and export of currency to and from China is limited to 6,000 RMB (CNY). Additional currency must be declared to the Chinese customs staff at your point of entry or exit. Foreign currency, such as US dollars, must also be declared on import.

If your household goods are shipped to China, they will only be released once residence and import permits have been obtained. Your removal company will need copies of your passport, residence permit, and work permit in order to make an application for an import permit. This process can take up to three weeks, so it is advisable to take any items that you will need immediately with you as personal luggage. The following items will be subject to customs duty upon import:

• Many electrical goods, even if they are not new (this includes televisions, DVD players, air conditioning units, white goods and office electronics)
• Furniture
• Compact discs and video tapes in excess of 100 items

If you are taking Oriental antiques with you as part of your personal effects, they should be described in detail in the customs schedule. Strict export rules to prevent the export of items of historic or cultural importance have been introduced and if you cannot prove that an item was in your possession when you arrived in China, you may experience problems when you try to export it to your home country at the end of your stay.

You will not be permitted to import a motorcycle to China unless you have diplomatic status. It is possible to import your car, but the difficulties of obtaining an import permit make purchasing a vehicle after your arrival a more attractive proposition.

Each resident permit holder is allowed to take one dog or cat into China. You must be in possession of the original certificate of rabies vaccination for the animal. There is currently no quarantine requirement at Shanghai airport. The owner should arrange for a veterinary inspection to confirm the good health of the animal upon arrival.

Under no circumstances will you be permitted to take printed or recorded material deemed to be detrimental to the public interest into China. Similarly, when departing, you will not be allowed to take anything with you that is viewed as compromising to state secrecy.