New taxes encourage home shopping

Chinese tourists are major shoppers, particularly since prices of luxury merchandise overseas are about a third of those in China. But this may soon end because of new duties being introduced.
Chinese Customs recently introduced steep new duties on any merchandise brought back into the country for personal use that exceeds RMB5,000 (US$751) in value. This will not affect the vast majority of Chinese but it will seriously affect the growing middle class.
Taxes have been introduced step by step. August 1 saw a 20% tax on leather, fur, cameras, camcorders, and audio and video appliances. Then a 30% tax for watches, clocks, and their parts. Now a 50% tax for cosmetics, alcohol and tobacco, followed by a 100% import tax on laptop computers, cell phones and cameras.
The Epoch Times reports the new taxes are encouraging many Chinese to shop at home instead.