Moving to Shangai? Beware of Customs Clearance delays

If you are moving to Shanghai between May and October 2010, please beware of increased security and customs delays. Due to the upcoming World Expo 2010 from May 1st 2010 to October 31st 2010, security checks have been stepped up. All shipments to or from Shanghai will be subjected to 100% customs inspection. Historically, during a period of higher security and tension, Shanghai customs clearance tends to progress slowly with additional inspections occurring at the discretion of China Customs.  Kelly's, and our fellow UniGroup-UTS agents asks for your patience and understanding as we work through these challenges. We assure you that we will do our best to clear shipments as smoothly and quickly as possible considering the increased security measures. Listed below are the updated prohibited items for both inbound and outbound shipments to Shanghai. If any prohibited item is inside the shipment, the entire shipment will be sent to the inspection bureau immediately. There will be a more thorough and detailed inspection,as well as extra line haul resulting in additional charges for these services. The penalty for including prohibited items will be severe during this period. For example, if any weapons /explosive items, etc., are found inside the shipment and if they can conclude the client included that item intentionally, the shipper may be arrested. Additionally, the customs broker and the moving company could be forced to close during the entire EXPO 2010 period. Additionally, the import declaration must be accurate, especially for the dutiable items. If any dutiable items are not declared ahead of time, the whole shipment will be held and customs will likely consider this omission as smuggling without any excuse or hesitation. If you are moving to Shanghai with Kelly's, rest assured that we will give you the appropriate advice to minimise cost and delay. Prohibited items for import.  Grand piano (not allowed for Shanghai unless the shipper is a certified piano specialist). Firearms, weapons, ammunition, explosives. TV satellite dish/receiver. Copiers. Unprocessed food, fresh meat, fresh vegetables, dairy products, and even baby powder milk (currently the max one can import for baby powder milk is 6kg for sea shipment). Live plants/animal food. Poisons, medicines or illegal drugs. Printed/recorded material deemed detrimental to the political, economic, cultural climate, or moral atmosphere in China (including all pornographic or printed materials). Overlarge office items, such as large photocopier machine, which are not considered for personal or family usage. Maps (where the Chinese border is not in accordance with PRC law). All kinds of equipment/tools associated with gambling, such as poker cards, chips, jackpot machines etc. Endangered and rare animals and their products, such as ivory.  Counterfeit currencies.  Motorcycles. Radio remote control items (remote control toys included). Professional telecommunications equipment (walkie talkie, transmitter etc).  Unidentified solid item, powder products. Any other items are determined by the local customs bureau to be non-personal or non-family usage.  These items may be seized if found in the shipment.