Owais Crawford
China's airport customs have been described as [insane] by some travellers. Travellers have reported that common items such as lighters, umbrellas, power banks, and even first aid kits have been confiscated by customs officers. China has strict regulations on what can be brought into and taken out of the country, including restrictions on media deemed harmful to the country's politics, economy, culture, and morality, as well as restrictions on antiques and currency. It is important for travellers to be aware of these regulations to avoid fines or confiscation of their belongings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Items prohibited from bringing into China | Lighters, umbrellas, power banks, sharp objects, arms, imitation arms, ammunition, explosives, counterfeit currencies, printed matter, films, photographs, gramophone records, cinematographic films, loaded recording tapes, video tapes, compact discs, storage media for computers, deadly poison, opium, morphine, heroin, marijuana, other addictive drugs, fruits, vegetables, live animals (except dogs and cats as pets), animal products, pathogenic micro-organisms of animals and plants, pests and other harmful organisms, animal carcasses, soil, fireworks, unauthorised antiques, multiple copies of DVDs, rare books about Chinese revolution, history, culture and art |
| Items prohibited from taking out of China | Foreign currencies worth more than 5,000 U.S. dollars or 20,000 yuan, wristwatches, radios, tape recorders, cameras, movie cameras, drugs, food, and health care products that do not comply with ingredient, type, and quantity restrictions |
| Duty-free allowance for personal possessions | RMB 5,000 for residents, RMB 2,000 for non-resident visitors, 1,500 ml of duty-free alcohol |
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What You'll Learn
Confiscation of prohibited items
China has strict laws regarding what can and cannot be brought into the country. It is important to declare any prohibited items to customs to avoid violating the law and facing legal consequences. Here are some items that are prohibited from entering or leaving China and may be confiscated by airport customs:
Electronics and Media
- Electronic devices such as power banks and lithium batteries are not allowed in checked luggage due to fire hazards.
- Media deemed "harmful to China's politics, economy, culture, and morality" is prohibited. This includes manuscripts, printed materials, films, photographs, gramophone records, cinematographic films, loaded recording tapes, video tapes, compact discs, and computer storage media.
Restricted Items
- Lighters are not permitted on planes and are considered a security hazard.
- Fireworks and explosives are banned.
- Arms, ammunition, and weapons, including sharp objects like scissors, are prohibited.
Drugs and Healthcare Products
- Toxicants, poisonous drugs, and narcotic drugs, including opium, morphine, heroin, marijuana, and addictive psychotropic substances, are illegal.
- Certain Chinese herbal medicines and patent drugs, such as those containing musk, dried toad venom, tiger bone, rhinoceros horn, or calculus bovis, are prohibited from export.
- Foodstuffs that are unsanitary, carry germs, or are from infected areas may be confiscated.
Antiques and Relics
Unauthorized antiques and cultural relics are not permitted to leave the country without proper documentation and approval from the Chinese Culture Administration Department.
Currency and Valuables
- There is a limit of 20,000 yuan for the amount of currency that can be brought into or taken out of China.
- Non-resident visitors can bring duty-free items worth up to RMB 2,000 into China, while residents can bring in duty-free articles for personal use worth up to RMB 5,000.
- Personal possessions, gifts, and articles carried on behalf of another must be declared if they exceed the duty-free limits or if duty payment is required.
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Customs declaration forms
In the past, the customs declaration process in China involved filling out a paper form and undergoing a face-to-face inspection with customs officers, which could be time-consuming and cumbersome. However, Beijing Customs has recently streamlined the clearance process, introducing a paperless system that allows for the advance handling of customs clearance procedures. This means that companies and travellers can now upload documents online to pre-declare goods before their arrival, significantly expediting the process.
When completing a customs declaration form, travellers must provide detailed information about the items they are carrying, including personal possessions, gifts, or articles carried on behalf of someone else. Certain items may be exempt from duties, such as personal belongings, food, a limited amount of alcohol and cigarettes, and personal-use items like wristwatches, cameras, and movie cameras.
It is important to note that there are strict regulations on prohibited items, and failure to declare these can result in serious consequences. Prohibited items include, but are not limited to, arms and ammunition, counterfeit currencies, certain printed materials and media deemed detrimental to China's interests, deadly poisons, narcotic drugs, and endangered or infected animals and plants. Travellers should carefully review the list of prohibited items provided by Chinese customs authorities to ensure compliance.
Additionally, there are restrictions on the amount of currency that can be brought into or taken out of China. The limit for foreign currencies, traveller's checks, or Chinese yuan is 20,000 yuan (approximately US$3,000), and amounts exceeding this must be declared to customs. Non-resident visitors may bring duty-free items worth up to RMB 2,000, while residents of China have a higher duty-free limit of RMB 5,000.
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Duty-free limits
When travelling to China, it is important to be aware of the duty-free limits and customs regulations. Passengers are allowed to bring in duty-free articles for personal use, but the total value must not exceed certain limits. For residents of China, the duty-free limit for personal use items is RMB 5,000. Any value exceeding this limit will be subject to a 20% duty fee. Non-residents, on the other hand, have a duty-free limit of RMB 2,000 for items that will remain in China.
In addition to the value limits, there are specific quantity restrictions on certain items. For example, passengers are allowed to bring up to 1500 ml of alcoholic drinks with an alcohol content of 12% or higher, or 400 cigarettes, 100 cigars, or 500 grams of smoking tobacco. These quantity restrictions also apply to medicines, which should not exceed a 7-day supply. It is important to note that these restrictions are for personal use only and commercial items may be subject to different regulations.
When it comes to currency, there are limits on the amount of cash or foreign currencies that can be brought into China. Passengers carrying over RMB 20,000 in cash or foreign currencies equivalent to more than US $5,000 must declare this to customs and will be processed according to current regulations. The duty-free limit for foreign currency is US $5,000 or RMB 20,000.
It is important to accurately declare all items on the China Customs Luggage Declaration Form to avoid any issues. This includes items such as foreign currency, gold and silver, cultural relics, communication devices, and any prohibited or limited items according to Chinese law. Failure to declare these items may result in punishment.
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Items for personal use
When travelling to or from China, it is important to be aware of the items that are restricted or prohibited from entry into the country. Personal belongings will generally be admitted duty-free, but there are certain items that must be declared at customs.
For items that are for personal use only, you can bring in food, two bottles of liquor, and two cartons of cigarettes. You may also bring in wristwatches, radios, tape recorders, cameras, and movie cameras, but these items cannot be sold or transferred to others and must be used up or brought out of China. Visitors can bring in up to 20,000 yuan in foreign currency, Chinese yuan (RMB), and/or traveller's cheques, and any unspent portion can be taken out.
If you are a resident of China, you may bring in duty-free articles for personal use worth up to a total of RMB 5,000. Non-resident visitors can bring in duty-free items worth up to RMB 2,000. Passengers may also bring 1,500 ml of duty-free alcohol into the country.
It is important to note that lighters, power banks, and sharp objects are prohibited from being brought onto planes in China. These items will be confiscated if found in your carry-on luggage.
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Security checks
When travelling to or from China, it is essential to declare certain items, including personal possessions, gifts, and articles carried on behalf of someone else. Residents of China can bring in duty-free articles for personal use worth up to RMB 5,000, while non-residents are allowed duty-free items worth RMB 2,000. Passengers may also bring in two bottles of liquor, two cartons of cigarettes, and up to 20,000 yuan in foreign currency, traveller's cheques, or letters of credit without incurring duties.
Items that are prohibited from entering or exiting China include arms, ammunition, explosives, counterfeit currencies, printed matter, films, photographs, and various types of media deemed detrimental to the country's political, economic, cultural, or moral interests. Additionally, toxicants, narcotic drugs, endangered animals and plants, and their seeds or reproductive materials are banned. It is also illegal to bring in or take out certain antiques and cultural relics without proper authorisation and declaration.
Some items that may seem innocuous, such as lighters, power banks, and even first aid kits, have been known to cause issues at Chinese airport security. It is always best to err on the side of caution and carefully review the list of prohibited items before travelling to China.
One of the most important things to remember when going through security checks at a Chinese airport is to comply with the instructions of the customs officers. They have the authority to confiscate any prohibited items and impose penalties for violations. It is also worth noting that the list of prohibited items may change, so staying informed before travelling is essential.
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Frequently asked questions
Some items prohibited from entering China include toxicants, narcotics, addictive drugs, and psychotropic substances.
Some items prohibited from exiting China include antiques, fireworks, and unauthorised copies of DVDs.
Some items that must be declared when entering China include personal possessions, gifts, and articles carried on behalf of another.
If you fail to declare prohibited items when leaving China, you are liable for violation of the law and may face punishment.
Yes, the limit for foreign currencies, traveller's checks, or letters of credit brought into or taken out of China is 20,000 yuan.
