bellwilliam, welcome to FT You didn't say what cities in which you had problems, but I assume that they are in China, given the topic.

FWIW, in TPE I always declare my laptop. Not so much because the directions so indicate on the landing card, but I've found over the years that the customs lines are virtually non-existant on the red channels, while the green lanes are backed up. Nine times out of then, the officers nearby have to dig up a customs official to come over and staff the lane. Customs at most locales don't care about reasonable personal articles, laptops included. So, the customs guy just enters some data on a terminal, and I am on my way. And... its ultra-legal.