Customs officials have denied any change in tariffs for goods that individual tourists purchase in Hong Kong and Macao.

There were news reports of a 20 percent tariff imposed by customs for those who bought three or more of the same commodity, and some tourists had worried about the change. However, the Shenzhen Customs said their current tariff policy would remain unchanged, the Shenzhen Special Zone Daily and Daily Sunshine reported.

For passengers, including those on DIY tours to Hong Kong and Macao, reasonable amounts of personal clothing, shoes, caps, hats, art products and other daily commodities worth 1,000 yuan (US$121) or less are duty-free, while there should only be, if any, one duplicate of a commodity worth 800 to 1,000 yuan, according to a regulation of the General Administration of Customs.

For durable consumer goods worth 1,000 to 5,000 yuan, such as watches, mobile phones, laptops, digital cameras, digital video cameras and hi-fi systems, only one piece is allowed to be brought in per year and is not duty-free. If passengers bring in excessive amounts of goods, the customs will charge tariffs, order the return of goods, confiscate the goods or impose fines.

(Shenzhen Daily November 15, 2004)