08-029 · EVIDENCE B · SOURCE-SENSITIVE
Don’t carry items for strangers when traveling, and don’t accept packages of unknown origin
出入境不帮陌生人带东西，不代收来路不明的包裹
No cost at all. Simply say no.
The Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises travelers to avoid carrying luggage or items for others, especially prohibited goods or anything they know nothing about. If drugs or contraband are later found in your luggage, you’ll be responsible for proving that you had no knowledge of them. The same applies to receiving parcels domestically — especially when someone asks you to pay upfront and promises a refund later.
B
Move “Don’t carry items for strangers when traveling, and don’t accept packages of unknown origin” to Future Me's calendar
The excuse
Future Me has a clearer calendar, more patience, and apparently the same responsibilities.
What feels good now
Today I keep a few minutes and avoid interrupting my default routine.
What the source says
The source summarizes the return this way: “The Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises travelers to avoid carrying luggage or items for others, especially prohibited goods or anything they know nothing about. If drugs or contraband are later found in your luggage, you’ll be responsible for proving that you had no knowledge of them. The same applies to receiving parcels domestically — especially when someone asks you to pay upfront and promises a refund later.” Evidence grade B. The original states the population, caveats, and sources; this is not a personal forecast.
Use the original facts and limits. For an urgent medical, safety, financial, or legal issue, contact a qualified local professional or service.
THE ENGLISH EDITION
Original recommendation and evidence
29. Don’t carry items for strangers when traveling, and don’t accept packages of unknown origin
Cost: No cost at all. Simply say no.
In plain terms: The Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises travelers to avoid carrying luggage or items for others, especially prohibited goods or anything they know nothing about. If drugs or contraband are later found in your luggage, you’ll be responsible for proving that you had no knowledge of them. The same applies to receiving parcels domestically — especially when someone asks you to pay upfront and promises a refund later.
Benefit: Following this advice helps prevent unknowingly transporting prohibited items, thus avoiding any legal consequences. It also protects you from being held liable if contraband is discovered in your luggage.
Evidence grade: B
Sources: Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2023). What are the suggestions for Chinese citizens who are preparing to go abroad. <https://cs.mfa.gov.cn/gyls/lscs/201106/t20110615_876383.shtml>
Notes: The official pages from China’s General Administration of Customs and Ministry of Public Security on this topic are currently inaccessible, so this entry relies solely on guidance from the Consular Department. Since the original text only outlines general principles rather than specific legal provisions, it is rated B. The same rules apply to domestic parcel handling — especially when payment is required upfront with a later refund promised.
Read the complete Chinese source and notes
29. 出入境不帮陌生人带东西，不代收来路不明的包裹
成本: 不花钱。拒绝就行。
说人话: 外交部领事司给出国公民的建议是：不要替别人携带行李物品，特别是违禁品，或者你并不了解的东西。行李里真查出毒品或者走私品，「我不知道里面装的什么」要你自己举证。国内代收快递也一样，尤其是让你先垫钱、事后退款的。
收益: 外交部领事司给出国公民的建议是「请务必避免为他人携带行李物品，特别是违禁物品或不了解的物品」。这么做是为了避免在不知情的情况下替别人携带违禁品，因而承担法律责任。行李里查出毒品或者走私品的时候，「不知道里面是什么」需要你自己举证
证据等级: B
来源: 外交部领事司 (2023). 对准备出国的中国公民有哪些建议. <https://cs.mfa.gov.cn/gyls/lscs/201106/t20110615_876383.shtml>
备注: 海关总署和公安部关于这件事的官方提示页面打不开，本条只引了外交部领事司的页面。而且原文只给原则、不给法条，所以定 B 级。国内代收快递也一样，尤其是让你先垫付、事后退款的。
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