I think it varies greatly. I've had a friend whose parcel of medication was held up for weeks and he eventually had to go to a special pick-up place to sign some documents. However, I've never heard of people having any trouble if only chocolate and other sweets was in the parcel. In fact, most of my friends regularly get parcels from their caring mothers which are always full of sweets. If there's meat, cheese, tabacoo, alcohol or medication in there, then you shouldn't get your hopes up too much...

corrupt would be a better word

You will never know until you try. No one here can give you a definitive answer.

I order cigars from abroad. Usually they arrive duty free. Occasionally I am taxed. Same office, same employee. Inquiries are useless. Just pay when demanded.

Go along - get along. We are not going to change China but China will change us.

I have never had any trouble in nine years of receiving care packages from the USA containing all kinds of food products (not twinkes though). When you send have them sent, just delcare them as "school supplies" and it should be fine.

Corrupted country