Customs issues w/wood model??
 

I work for an architecture firm and one of our associates is flying into Beijing with 2 models for a project competition. Another associate had mentioned that his friend had been detained due to a wooden crate he was bringing - possibly due to it being classified as "agriculture"?? The details are unclear but does anyone know if my associate will have any issues at customs with the architectural wooden model? We cannot risk having it trashed upon arrival. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

Officially, "raw" wood (e.g. tree trunk) and plants (e.g. tree with soil) are prohibited (="agriculture"). Therefore, you are allowed to bring processed wood. Furniture is allowed and I presume this shouldn't be much different to your wood model.

However, there's a good portion of arbitrariness involved (I assume this was the case with your friend) and getting a definite answer will be difficult.

Maybe the problem is the crate itself. Could it be the raw wood?

Wooden crates require a fumigation/disinfection certificate.
wood packaging of goods entering the country must be accompanied by inspection and quarantine authorities issued a certificate certifying that wood packaging entering the country before the heat-treated, fumigated or treated with preservatives, or the exporter issued without proof of wood packaging.

Wooden models would be exempt from that requirement. However if the models are large
you may be stopped for inspection and should have the proper paperwork to clear customs
including HS code such as:
902300 - Instruments, apparatus and models, designed for demonstrational purposes [for example, in education or exhibitions], unsuitable for other uses
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Unless something has changed very recently, nearly all the instances of architectural models being brought into China need commercial paperwork with customs coding, and in many cases are charged duty. It may make a difference as to whether this model will be re-exported or will remain in China. I assume the latter is the most likely circumstance.

The wood crate container issue is peripheral. Just have a certificate for it attesting to fumigated/treated/etc--those should be pretty standard procedure from whatever company is providing the packing and shipping services for the model.

Does anyone know if you can bring meat in? I saw it on the ban list but when I went and declared it I was sent right through. I was crossing the HK - Shenzhen boarder.

Strictly prohibited. However, there are different customs regulations in place for HK-Mainland boarder crossings.