Thoughts? What do you expect, you're living in a Communist country where the govt controls everything.
Wrong.
In Apple's case, they really are awaiting pending Government approval.
This is NOT only in China, but in other Asian countries as well (which are far from Communist). Pretty much, this is standard when new products are introduced. This is historically true for ALL Apple products. They get released 4-9 weeks after release in USA/other parts of the world. Is it a big deal? Depends. If you are an Apple fanatic (like me), then the wait will be excruciating. But for many other things, it's really not a big deal.
Living in China is great. There are so many benefits that it's far than BETTER than in the US. I'm in the field of International Business and Trade, so with RESPECT and understanding of the Chinese culture and business practices, I am able to fully to not only reap the financial benefits but also enrich my love for the Chinese way of life. But mostly it's because they are able to make me and many Western companies freight-loads of money.
Ok, back to the Original poster's questions:
(1) Yes, it's STILL NOT available in China. Also in many other Asian countries. Take a look around like Japan, Malaysia, Singapore. Hong Kong was released the day the USA got it. Great for HK. Try living in HK and tell me how easy or extremely difficult it is. I love HK but the no-tax benefit is just that, a benefit.
(2) Your dad goes to HK for business. Ask around. Taking electronics in full packaging OUT of no-tax countries can result in a fine or getting taxed (and delayed, searched, questioned). Try bringing a HP Printer (in box) out of HK into ShenZhen. Yeah, you'll get stopped. If your dad is doing business in HK, you may wanna do your research before getting him in trouble over a few HK dollars. Just fly to HK, go to one of the HK Airport Apple resellers shops and buy it. It will be more expensive, but it's a peace of mind and no one gets "flagged".
Good luck.
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Yeah men, no need to bash China. Every which place have their own bureaucracy. Hong Kong though is shopping haven and laze faire government with minimum bureaucracy.
They just don't want u mainlanders buying all their, melamine-free, powder milk, but electronics all u can carry
Not true. You can't carry as many Electronics out of HK to China as you can. You'll get taxed.
Out of box, sure. There are "runners" for that. Then, they repackage the product back into a fresh box and "seal" it and sell it as new in Shen Zhen. Go to the 3rd floor of the ShenZhen electronics mall and you'll find them.
Buying iPhones in China is risky. They'll claim it to be "new" but actually, it's second hand or refurbished. And if you "know" what's up, open up the iPhone and you may find that they replaced cheap China-made batteries or other components for the factory Apple components.
HK is indeed a shopping heaven. But try bringing some of the excess BACK to your home country. That's where customs comes in and depending on how you "CLAIM" your gifts/items, it is up to the laws of your destination that will decide if you can bring so many in. It's like buying 20 cartons of cigarettes. You can. But if you bring those 20 cartons into China, USA, or another destination where you leave customs, then you may get flagged and have those extra 18 cartons confiscated or taxed or fined or whatever.
