Interpretation of customs regulations on individuals carrying religious printed matter and audio-visual products
Whether individuals can carry and mail religious printed matter and audio-visual products when entering the country is an issue that needs to be clarified. According to relevant regulations, religious printed materials and audio-visual products carried and mailed into the country by individuals must be for personal use and in reasonable quantities before they can be allowed to enter. For items exceeding a reasonable quantity for personal use, customs will collect taxes and inspect and release items based on certificates issued by the State Administration of Religious Affairs or the entrusted provincial government religious affairs management department, as well as other administrative departments of the State Council.
In addition, if there is no relevant certificate, the customs will deal with it in accordance with the relevant provisions of the “Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Implementation of Customs Administrative Punishments”. During this process, the customs pays special attention to distributed religious printed matter and audio-visual products. Such items are transported, carried, and mailed into the country. They are not for personal use and the quantity exceeds a reasonable range, and they have obvious communication characteristics. In this case, they will be prohibited from entering the country as it may violate national religious affairs regulations and related policies.
It can be seen from the above regulations that the customs’ entry management of religious printed matter and audio-visual products strictly follows the principle of self-use and reasonable quantity requirements to ensure legal and compliant entry behavior.