"Knock off" shopping?

[triple7tahoe]

My wife and I will be taking a cruise that starts in Bangkok and makes stops in Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Korea and China before ending in Anchorage. My wife thinks that shopping for "copy" purses and watches is what these cruises are for:D. Any suggestions as to the best places would be greatly appreciated. I do have to admit that we are not looking for the "cheap" imitations that can be found on every street corner in Hong Kong and Bangkok. We found in Kuala Lumpur that if you ask for the "good" stuff it often appears from somewhere in back. Thanks in advance:)

[paul929207]

I assume you and your wife are aware that it is illegal to bring counterfit items into the US.

[Bufrenee]

You will find the best and cheapest ones at the Pearl Market in HongMei Lu in Shanghai. They are not displayed but are stored in a little room at the back of the stall. You will also be approached by vendors with pictures in and around the tourist areas. In most of the other countries they are banned but you might find some in Bangkok at the Chatuchuk market which is only opened on the weekends.

[triple7tahoe]

I assume you and your wife are aware that it is illegal to bring counterfit items into the US.

YES! But I do not believe that there is a law against looking. Or am I missing something?:confused:

[paul929207]

YES! But I do not believe that there is a law against looking. Or am I missing something?:confused:

No law against looking. I just saw the word "shopping" in the title of your post and thought you or your wife were planning to shop. Sorry I misundestood.

[triple7tahoe]

No law against looking. I just saw the word "shopping" in the title of your post and thought you or your wife were planning to shop. Sorry I misundestood.

To my wife, "shopping" involves long hours of looking and wishing. I think it is a women thing? Now I am really in trouble.;) We have long discussions about shopping as opposed to buying-When she wants to buy something I will go along; when shopping I know it will be an all day thing.

Some people travel to see the sites/people; my wife travels to shop (look at things that she would never think of buying) Maybe it is like us guys that like to look at expensive cars that we would never buy even if we could afford them?

[paul929207]

To my wife, "shopping" involves long hours of looking and wishing. I think it is a women thing? Now I am really in trouble.;) We have long discussions about shopping as opposed to buying-When she wants to buy something I will go along; when shopping I know it will be an all day thing.

Some people travel to see the sites/people; my wife travels to shop (look at things that she would never think of buying) Maybe it is like us guys that like to look at expensive cars that we would never buy even if we could afford them?

When my wife goes shopping, I have to be ready to help empty the car when she returns. :)

[lawra09]

We were on the Diamond Asia cruise in Oct. and loved the knock-off shopping in Shanghai, Singapore, Ho Chi Min City and Beijing. Unbelievable bargains - beautiful Ralph Lauren Polo Golf Shirts - $5 - really good quality - wash beautifully. Also Tiffany silver bracelets - $5. Had a ball and sure you will too. Just make sure you allow enough time for shopping - we didn't really have enough time. Wish we could do it again.

[laughing husky]

Where did you get the Tiffany bracelets?

[kuldalai]

During your Hong Kong stopover be sure to visit the Temple Street Night Market. Nightly in Temple St, South - JORDAN (MTR to Jordan station) from 1800 hrs. Here you can pick up copies of Rolex watches, and most of the name brand womens bags for an absolute song . Ditto for clothing and sports shoes . CD's and DVD's copies are thin on the ground following crackdown .

[kkbay]

We were on the Diamond Asia cruise in Oct. and loved the knock-off shopping in Shanghai, Singapore, Ho Chi Min City and Beijing. Unbelievable bargains - beautiful Ralph Lauren Polo Golf Shirts - $5 - really good quality - wash beautifully. Also Tiffany silver bracelets - $5. Had a ball and sure you will too. Just make sure you allow enough time for shopping - we didn't really have enough time. Wish we could do it again.

Did you see these items in Shanghai and Beijing, or just Singapore? Please let me know where these were "seen".

Thanks!

[chipmaster]

My wife and I will be taking a cruise that starts in Bangkok and makes stops in Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Korea and China before ending in Anchorage. My wife thinks that shopping for "copy" purses and watches is what these cruises are for:D. Any suggestions as to the best places would be greatly appreciated. I do have to admit that we are not looking for the "cheap" imitations that can be found on every street corner in Hong Kong and Bangkok. We found in Kuala Lumpur that if you ask for the "good" stuff it often appears from somewhere in back. Thanks in advance:)

 

Depending on what you are looking for the selection and accessibility will vary widely. They are NOT on every street corner, but some places are easier to find than others.

 

For things like purses, watches and other high end European stuff I think Shanghai is still the place with Bangkok a close second. You will often find many a teenager loitering around the more legal selling places ( silk robes, laser pointers, generic bags etc. ) ask and they will offer to take you into often narrow back alley into an air conditioned room where you can have a look. My kids were very amused and amazed at what you'd find. Three levels of Rolex; 10 dollar ( break before you get home), 50 dollar ( last a month to a year ) and 150-200 with automatic movement ( last as long as the real thing ) :D

 

In Bangkok the big electronic malls you can expect to get just about any movie for a buck. The newer ones, avatar for example is availble but it will be a horrible copy. An older one hit from the summer or last year will be as good as an original. Pretty much any move stand is a front for pirated DVDs, they burn them for you while you wait after you pick them up from a huge catalog.

 

This is truely a problem, its a double edge sword. Want your Walmart and cheap goods that we've all gotten used to in the last 20 years, but this is really the other side of it benefit. Not sure if you can get one without the other....

 

I agree with the other poster that the cost/ramification of getting caught are huge, highly recommend you don't attempt to bring anything into any country, very different taking it out. We saw lots of disposed pirated stuff right before customs. Kids had a blast looking at it in several of our recent travels

[triple7tahoe]

Depending on what you are looking for the selection and accessibility will vary widely. They are NOT on every street corner, but some places are easier to find than others.

 

For things like purses, watches and other high end European stuff I think Shanghai is still the place with Bangkok a close second. You will often find many a teenager loitering around the more legal selling places ( silk robes, laser pointers, generic bags etc. ) ask and they will offer to take you into often narrow back alley into an air conditioned room where you can have a look. My kids were very amused and amazed at what you'd find. Three levels of Rolex; 10 dollar ( break before you get home), 50 dollar ( last a month to a year ) and 150-200 with automatic movement ( last as long as the real thing ) :D

 

In Bangkok the big electronic malls you can expect to get just about any movie for a buck. The newer ones, avatar for example is availble but it will be a horrible copy. An older one hit from the summer or last year will be as good as an original. Pretty much any move stand is a front for pirated DVDs, they burn them for you while you wait after you pick them up from a huge catalog.

 

This is truely a problem, its a double edge sword. Want your Walmart and cheap goods that we've all gotten used to in the last 20 years, but this is really the other side of it benefit. Not sure if you can get one without the other....

 

I agree with the other poster that the cost/ramification of getting caught are huge, highly recommend you don't attempt to bring anything into any country, very different taking it out. We saw lots of disposed pirated stuff right before customs. Kids had a blast looking at it in several of our recent travels

Thank you for your input-We found similar experiences in Kuala Lumpur regarding the prices on watches and purses regarding levels of quality.

Daughter from Seattle area wants us to look for items for her as her husband may get stationed in the Orient.

 

I took great interest in your "shutterfly" pictures. My wife and I are debating about our ability to climb the Great Wall? We both think we are good hikers and your pictures gave us insight into what we may be up for:D.

My email is 7 triple at earthlink.net if you would not mind sharing more experiences-Thanks Dale

[goya]

In Bangkok in the shoping centre MBK you will find very good bags, better quality and copys than in the Padong night market.

My daughter bought a los of them.

 

We bought watches in the market and they are still working.

 

Somebody told me in HCMC the copys are very very cheap. I am looking aswell where I can buy a lot of stuff.:)

[chipmaster]

Thank you for your input-We found similar experiences in Kuala Lumpur regarding the prices on watches and purses regarding levels of quality.

Daughter from Seattle area wants us to look for items for her as her husband may get stationed in the Orient.

 

I took great interest in your "shutterfly" pictures. My wife and I are debating about our ability to climb the Great Wall? We both think we are good hikers and your pictures gave us insight into what we may be up for:D.

My email is 7 triple at earthlink.net if you would not mind sharing more experiences-Thanks Dale

 

Depending on when you go the great wall is/can be a great experience. None of us will get it all by ourselves like Obama. If you go in the summer, you can expect it to be hot/humid and very very crowded. Its a popular place for the billion chinese too :D

 

We visited the Badaling portion near Beijing ( actually not close ), it has two sections you can choose a stepper one and a not so steep. The steep one isn't really that hard. One nice thing about the steeper side is that its less crowded. It is very doable for anyone used to hiking a mile or so and steps. My mother inlaw who is 70+ had no issues.

 

Search badaling on google and you should find many detailed pictures and discriptions.

[triple7tahoe]

Depending on when you go the great wall is/can be a great experience. None of us will get it all by ourselves like Obama. If you go in the summer, you can expect it to be hot/humid and very very crowded. Its a popular place for the billion chinese too :D

 

We visited the Badaling portion near Beijing ( actually not close ), it has two sections you can choose a stepper one and a not so steep. The steep one isn't really that hard. One nice thing about the steeper side is that its less crowded. It is very doable for anyone used to hiking a mile or so and steps. My mother inlaw who is 70+ had no issues.

 

Search badaling on google and you should find many detailed pictures and discriptions.

We are going to Badaling section as part of a group from our ship. I hate to admit it but the I just looked in our cruise personalizer and it says that I will be 70:confused: Certainly don't feel that old and have always felt that getting and walking in port stops was the only way to see them:)

Would love a little more specific locations for shopping since our time is limited-Thanks

[Cruising Retired Army SGM]

I assume you and your wife are aware that it is illegal to bring counterfit items into the US.

 

Prior to my Diamond Princes cruise in Oct 08, Bangkok to Beijing, I did a lot of researsh on bringing "knock-off items" back to the USA. I found the following Customs Directive which is will copy and paste below:

 

CUSTOMS DIRECTIVE

ORIGINATING OFFICE: OR&R DISTRIBUTION: S-01 CUSTOMS DIRECTIVE NO. 2310-011A DATE: JANUARY 24, 2000 SUPERSEDES: 2310-11 July 30, 1991 REVIEW DATE: JANUARY 2002

PERSONAL USE EXEMPTION: UNAUTHORIZED TRADEMARKS

1. PURPOSE. To clarify Customs policy with respect to the proper application of the personal use exemption.

2. AUTHORITY. Generally, Section 526 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. §1526) and section 42 of the Act of July 5, 1946 (60 Stat. 440; 15 U.S.C. §1124) (the Lanham Act) proscribe the importation of goods bearing counterfeits of trademarks which have been registered with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office and recorded with U.S. Customs.

3. BACKGROUND. According to the statute (19 U.S.C. §1526(d)(1)), such restrictions do not apply to the importation of articles accompanying any person arriving in the United States, when such articles are for his personal use and not for sale, provided such articles have been approved and enumerated by Customs, and that such person has not been granted a 1526(d) exemption within 30 days immediately preceding his arrival. However, 19 U.S.C.§1526(d)(4) also authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out that law.

3.1 At 19 CFR §148.55, Customs has promulgated regulations which provide for the importation of one article of a type bearing an unauthorized protected trademark. Importations of quantities greater than one article of a type bearing an unauthorized trademark are subject to the provisions of 19 CFR §133.24.

4. ACTION. Customs officers shall permit any person arriving in the United States, to import one article, which must accompany the person, bearing a counterfeit, confusingly similar, or restricted gray market trademark, provided that the article is for personal use and not for sale.

4.1 Customs officers shall permit the arriving person to retain one article of each type accompanying the person. For example, an arriving person who has three purses, whether each bears a different unauthorized trademark or whether all three bear the same unauthorized trademark, is permitted one purse.

4.2 Imported items over and above one article are subject to disposition under either 19 CFR § 133.21 (counterfeit) or 19 CFR § 133.24 (gray market and confusingly similar). Under 19 CFR § 133.21, counterfeit items, in the absence of permission from the trademark owner, must be seized and forfeited. Gray market or confusingly similar

Page 2 goods are subject to detention under 19 CFR §133.24(a). Upon such a detention, Customs officers should orally advise the person(s) arriving that the articles are subject to detention and that in accordance with 19 CFR §133.24©(2), such articles may be:

4.2.1 Exported or destroyed under Customs supervision; or

4.2.2 Imported if the mark is removed or obliterated to Customs satisfaction; or

4.2.3 Released if permission to import the goods is obtained from the trademark holder.

4.3 Where the trademark holder consents to the importation of goods bearing unauthorized trademarks in quantities above the regulatory exemption, Customs officers shall allow the greater quantity to be imported.

4.4 Where the importer has failed to obtain release of such detained goods after 30 days from the date of presentation to Customs, said goods shall be seized and forfeiture proceedings instituted.

4.5 In the past, there has been confusion over whether the personal use exemption contained in 19 CFR §148.55 applies equally to crew members. 19 CFR §148.55, and its governing statute, 19 U.S.C. §1526(d), state that the personal use exemption is available to "any person." This includes crew members.

5. RESPONSIBILITIES. Customs field officers are responsible for following these guidelines. Area/Port directors, assistant port directors (trade operations), supervisory import specialists, and supervisory inspectors are responsible for ensuring that their staffs are aware of the content of this Directive and adhere to the guidelines provided.

Commissioner of Customs

[triple7tahoe]

James,

Thanks ever so much for your "Customs Directive". It was very informative and helpful.

My wife had heard that there were some goods buys to be had on our upcoming cruise. Bangkok-Anchorage-April 2010. I told her that things had changed in that part of the world since my R&R days there in the 60's/70's and that I would be of little help in finding these great buys. It looks like you might have researched those for your earlier cruise (2008) and your upcoming (2010) cruise. You have been active on our roll call with some very good information regarding ports/tours. Do you have any good suggestions as to the best areas for shopping in compliance with the "Customs Directive"? If you would rather not publish this infromation but are willing to share-my email is 7triple@earhlink.net.

Thanks again, Dale (Also retired US Army)

[Cruising Retired Army SGM]

James,

Thanks ever so much for your "Customs Directive". It was very informative and helpful. If you would rather not publish this infromation but are willing to share-my email is 7triple@earhlink.net.

Thanks again, Dale (Also retired US Army)

 

Dale - Twice I used the link you posted and both times they came back after three hours saying there was an error and could not be delivered. I have a ton of information stored on my computer and I am willing to share with you. Try sending me an e-mail a jjamess40 at aol dot com and I can help you with anything that you might need.

[triple7tahoe]

Dale - Twice I used the link you posted and both times they came back after three hours saying there was an error and could not be delivered. I have a ton of information stored on my computer and I am willing to share with you. Try sending me an e-mail a jjamess40 at aol dot com and I can help you with anything that you might need.

You should have mail:D

[chipmaster]

my take as I posted earlier on the "knock off". Fun to maybe go see and marvel at the prices and quality and widespread totally lack of enforcement of brand and intellectual property over there. Really would NOT recommend trying to bring anything in. The fines are stiff and the grief really not worth it.

 

Buying a movie for a buck to watch on the plane and toss before you get in is a thinkable thing. To try and bring a bunch of movies, purses, clothing, watches.. you are asking for lots of trouble and possible huge fines.

 

Happy window shopping ;)

[rollingstone]

In all of my traveling-both cruises & land tours, I have never personally been stopped by the "knockoff police" I have also never heard of it happening to anyone. Some of my favorite finds in China have been "Coach" luggage which I actually used on the trip home & a "Burberry" raincoat (faux-berry??), also worn on the plane. I do not buy anything to resell and wouldn't risk buying knock off electronics, movies etc only because I don't know if they would actually work. On my upcoming trip, I will certainly be looking for some nice knockoff handbags for friends and the jewelry sounds good too.

This is how I look at it (and this is entirely MY PERSONAL opinion) I own REAL Coach boots, handbags and some accessories etc. I would never buy the real ones for nieces or friends as gifts from my travels so this is not taking my business away from Coach. (or whatever knockoff it happens to be)

Happy shopping to all of you!!

[lawskool10]

I assume you and your wife are aware that it is illegal to bring counterfit items into the US.

 

Yep. I dream of better enforcement of this everyday. Just like winning the lottery, I fear it will never happen....

[chipmaster]

In all of my traveling-both cruises & land tours, I have never personally been stopped by the "knockoff police" I have also never heard of it happening to anyone. Some of my favorite finds in China have been "Coach" luggage which I actually used on the trip home & a "Burberry" raincoat (faux-berry??), also worn on the plane. I do not buy anything to resell and wouldn't risk buying knock off electronics, movies etc only because I don't know if they would actually work. On my upcoming trip, I will certainly be looking for some nice knockoff handbags for friends and the jewelry sounds good too.

This is how I look at it (and this is entirely MY PERSONAL opinion) I own REAL Coach boots, handbags and some accessories etc. I would never buy the real ones for nieces or friends as gifts from my travels so this is not taking my business away from Coach. (or whatever knockoff it happens to be)

Happy shopping to all of you!!

 

 

Movies: They work, actually are very good :)

Watches: They can work and work a long time :)

Coach Bags: I agree the better ones can't easily discerned from the real thing.

 

Story:

 

1) When we took our Carribean Cruise. As we got off in Florida the customs took a long look at my Rolex. It was real, and 5 years old with a ton of scratches. I think if it wasn't I could have been in for a cavity search :eek:

 

2) There is a story making the rounds locally that a mother brought in about 20 movies from China for her son in college. She was caught, they enforced the maximum fine of 10K/movie. She had the choice of paying or as we were told seeing her son lose the visa to continue college. She sold her house so her son could finish his education in the US. Everybody locally knows the the story but we don't know who it is, maybe just an urban myth??

 

In the 20 or so times I've been in and out of the country with or without my family I think I have actually been searched 0 times. Give that statistic the last thing I will do on the next trip is try to sneak something in as my time is up for getting picked, NO ;)

 

Happy shopping

[lawra09]

Did you see these items in Shanghai and Beijing, or just Singapore? Please let me know where these were "seen".

Thanks!

 

Saw them in both Shanghai and Beijing. Also the shirts I believe we got in Ho Chi Min City but they were also everywhere.