Consumers aren't happy about the 1,000-yuan import duty imposed on each Apple iPad arriving on the Chinese mainland. But the General Administration of Customs defends it as a reasonable tax.

Under Chinese customs regulations, goods for personal use worth 5,000 yuan or less and in reasonable quantities are exempt from import taxes. But tobacco, alcohol and goods that fall under a list of 20 other categories, including phones and computers, are still subject to taxes.

The General Administration of Customs says the iPad is currently classified as a personal computer. So it's taxed accordingly when brought over the borders, even if it's for personal use.

But as the retail price of an iPad is about 4,000 yuan, many consumers think the Customs authority needs to be more flexible and adjust its policy according to the market.

A Beijing customer said, "I think the General Administration of Customs should adjust its policy every three or six months. I like electronic products, and I wouldn't feel happy if the price is 4,000 yuan and I pay tax of 1,000 yuan."

A Beijing customer said, "I hope the customs authority will promptly adjust its tax rate. Sometimes it still charges high taxes when prices have dropped. I hope it can pay more attention to the market and adjust the standard accordingly."

Several people also believe the threshold of 5,000 yuan is too low. But China's customs authority holds that level as common international practice, saying many other countries use the same policy. The Australian government imposes tax on goods worth more than 900 Australian dollars, the UK's threshold is 390 pounds and Germany's 430 euros.

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