The Beijing customs office has banned the entry of foreign-made mobile phones and parts, which exceed the reasonable limit for personal use.
Travelers who fail to declare phones to customs will be subject to punishment in accordance with relevant customs laws and regulations.
According to customs officials, the Beijing customs office tracked and investigated 13 cases involving the illegal entry of mobile phones or parts in the first quarter of this year, of which five were officially recorded, an increase of 25 percent year-on-year.
Nearly all of the phones and parts smuggled into the country are new products, which are not yet manufactured in China, like rotating color screens and camera lenses.
On March 16 alone, the customs office uncovered two separate cases involving a total of 44 mobile-phone color screens and 50 mobile phones.
(Xinhua News Agency April 10, 2003)
