China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) referred to the issue of a new tax on iPads brought into the country by individuals, saying on Tuesday that it would support the General Administration of Customs (GAC) as to carry out its legitimate duties, the Beijing News reported Wednesday.

Yao Jian, an MOC spokesman, made the comments at a press conference on Tuesday. Yao said that the GAC imposed the new rule this summer, regulating the supervision of entry and exit luggage as well as postal items.

The MOC was reported to have sent an inquiry to GAC several days ago, concerning the 20 percent rate – 1,000 yuan – of inward iPad tax, focusing on whether it complied with the WTO regulations.

Huang Yi, an official in charge of supervision at GAC, was quoted in Chinese media as saying that the tax on iPads was not inconsistent with WTO principles, as an iPad for private use is considered to be an "item" but not "goods" for trading – and the latter are regulated by the WTO.

He added that the purpose of a tax for personal items like iPads is to prevent people from bringing "goods" disguised as items for personal use – which would affect trade.