They say you can't take it with you and that's certainly true of valuables if you're a frequent traveller.

Most banks now provide customers safe deposit boxes to keep their valuables. [China Daily]

Many domestic banks now provide expats safe deposit boxes for their valuables.

Take your passport, fill in the Application for Renting Safe Deposit Box, sign a Box Renting Contract in duplicate with the bank, pay the rent and caution money, and leave two fingerprints. That's what it takes to have your own safe with two keys. The whole process takes about 40 minutes.

The procedure is the same for unit renters. The only difference is that the signet of its legal representative and the seal of the unit are required.

Though the bank will not check what you have put in the box, not everything can be deposited. You will take all legal responsibility if putting in things like guns, ammunition, drugs, explosives or other contraband.

Gaining access to your valuables is easy. Go to the bank during business hours (including weekends) and go through the box opening procedures at the counter. After having your fingerprint checked by computer, you can then enter the storeroom and check your deposit.

You can also entrust others to open the box for you. But don't forget: you should go to the bank with them to sign a trust instrument in advance.

The rent is fairly reasonable. The Bank of China charges 1,000 yuan (US$120) a year for a box with a height of 30 cm, width of 30 cm and depth of 48 cm. The Agricultural Bank of China's service is a little cheaper, 600 yuan (US$72) for a box measuring 18 cm in height, 14 cm width and 49 cm depth. Boxes of different sizes have different rental fees.

The most expensive and largest is found in the Bank of China which charges 8,000 yuan (US$964) a year for a box 90 cm high, 60 cm wide and 48 cm deep. Boxes can also be rented for varying time periods.

Depositors can enjoy discounts if they are long-term renters. If the lease lasts more than two years, the rent decreases 5 per cent year after year up to a maximum discount of 20 per cent.

If you lose the keys, you must pay 200 yuan for one key, and 800 yuan for picking the lock.

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