Jazmin Li
Chinese customs procedures can be strict and complex, with many prohibited items and declaration requirements. Customs inspection is based on the principle of clearing articles of reasonable quantity for personal use only. When entering China, items that need to be declared include: foreign currency exceeding the limit, animals and animal products, transceivers, communications devices, and luggage that needs to be transported separately. It is prohibited to bring in toxicants, narcotic drugs, and endangered plants and animals. Chinese medicines and patent drugs are also restricted. It is recommended that foreign travellers consult relevant authorities in advance to ensure compliance with regulations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Items that must be declared | Any item that will be left in China and is valued at over 2,000 CNY, more than 400 cigarettes or 100 cigars, more than 1.5 litres of alcoholic beverages (alcohol measure above 12 degrees), foreign currency greater than 5,000 US dollars or the equivalent, or 20,000 CNY, animals and animal products, microorganism, biological products, human tissue, blood and blood products, transceiver, communications devices, any items prohibited and limited according to the laws of the People's Republic of China, luggage that needs to be transported separately, cargo, commercial samples, advertising items, manuscripts, printed matter, films, photographs, gramophone records, cinematographic films, loaded recording tapes and videotapes, etc. which are detrimental to China's politics, economy, culture, and ethics, poisonous drugs, habit-forming drugs, opium, morphine, heroin, etc., animals, plants and products thereof infected with or carrying germs and insects, unsanitary foodstuffs and germ-carrying foodstuffs from infected areas, other articles the import of which is prohibited by state regulations, rare and precious copies of books about Chinese revolution, history, culture and art that are not for sale, toxicants, narcotic drugs, endangered and precious animals, plants and its seeds or progenitive materials, Chinese herbal medicines and Chinese patent drugs whose export is prohibited by the government include musk, dried toad venom, tiger bone, rhinoceros horn, and calculus bovis |
| Items that do not need to be declared | Personal belongings, including food, two bottles of liquor and two cartons of cigarettes, wristwatches, radios, tape recorders, cameras, movie cameras, and similar items may be brought in for personal use, milk powder of a reasonable amount for personal use, personal items such as a smartphone, tablet PC, laptop, and digital camera |
| Currency allowance | 5,000 US dollars (or equivalent in any foreign currency) or 20,000 CNY is permitted. |
| Gold allowance | Gold, silver and products made from them are duty-free and do not need to be declared if they are less than 50g (2 ounces). |
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What You'll Learn
What to declare
When travelling to China, it is important to declare certain items to customs. There are two channels in Chinese Customs: the Green Channel, for those with nothing to declare, and the Red Channel, for those with goods to declare.
Firstly, it is important to declare any foreign currency in cash worth more than 5,000 US dollars, or the equivalent of 20,000 yuan.
Secondly, if you are carrying any items that will remain in China and are valued at more than 2,000 yuan, these must be declared. This includes gifts for friends or relatives in China, which are subject to duty if their value exceeds 2,000 yuan.
Thirdly, certain goods are prohibited and must be declared. These include arms, ammunition, explosives, counterfeit currencies, and drugs. Printed matter, films, photographs, and audio-visual materials that are detrimental to the political, economic, cultural, or moral interests of China must also be declared.
Additionally, travellers must declare any animals, animal products, biological products, human tissue, blood products, and certain foods such as milk powder in excess of the duty-free limit.
Finally, high-value items such as jewellery, jade, gold and silver ornaments, paintings, and artefacts may need to be declared, particularly if they are intended as gifts.
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Currency allowance
Currency restrictions and allowances are a key part of Chinese customs regulations. There are no quantitative restrictions on foreign currencies, traveller's cheques, or letters of credit brought into China. However, passengers must declare to customs if carrying foreign currencies in cash worth more than $5000 USD or 20,000 yuan. This limit does not apply to travellers who enter China more than once on the same day.
If you are carrying more than the equivalent of $5000 USD in foreign currency, you should declare it to Chinese customs. This can be done via a Customs Declaration Form, which must be completed in duplicate. Customs will then endorse one copy, which should be returned to the passenger for relevant procedures at the time of exit. This copy will be needed for customs to release the cash at the passenger's departure.
If you are carrying less than the equivalent of $5000 USD, but did not declare a previous, larger amount, customs will release the cash upon the presentation of a certificate issued by the Foreign Exchange Bureau or its authorised banks.
For non-Chinese nationals, the limit does not apply when purchasing foreign currency. However, when converting foreign currency to yuan, the $50,000 USD cap per person per year applies. For Chinese nationals, there is a $50,000 USD annual limit on money transferred outside of mainland China.
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Prohibited items
When entering or leaving China, there are several prohibited items that travellers must not carry. Here is a list of items that are prohibited or restricted from entry into China:
- Arms, ammunition, and explosives
- Counterfeit currencies and counterfeit negotiable securities
- Lethal poisons and toxicants
- Illicit, addictive, or narcotic drugs, including opium, morphine, heroin, marijuana, and psychotropic substances
- Endangered, precious, or rare animals, plants, seeds, and reproductive materials
- Diseased animals and plants, as well as their products
- Unsanitary or contaminated foodstuffs, medicines, and other articles from disease-stricken areas
- Printed matter, films, photographs, gramophone records, magnetic media, compact discs, and other media detrimental to China's political, economic, cultural, or moral interests
- Old or used garments
- Local currency (RMB)
- Valuable cultural relics and other relics prohibited from exportation
- Gold, silver, and products made from them exceeding 50 grams
- More than 400 cigarettes or 100 cigars, and 1.5 litres of alcoholic beverages (above 12 degrees)
- Foreign currency exceeding the equivalent of 5,000 USD or 20,000 CNY per person
It is important to declare any prohibited items upon arrival or departure from China. Failure to do so may result in confiscation and legal consequences.
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Drugs and medicines
China has strict drug laws, and certain medicines that are available over the counter in some countries are considered controlled substances in China. It is prohibited to carry or consign abroad items listed by the Table of Articles Prohibited to Enter or Leave the People's Republic of China. These include toxicants, narcotic drugs, and addictive psychotropic drugs such as opium, morphine, and heroin. Marijuana is also illegal and can result in imprisonment. Other prohibited items include Chinese herbal medicines and Chinese patent drugs that contain prohibited ingredients, such as musk, dried toad venom, tiger bone, rhinoceros horn, and calculus bovis.
If you need to bring medication into China, it is important to ensure that it is not considered a controlled substance in the country. Normal medications such as antibiotics are typically allowed with a doctor's note. However, for other medications, it is essential to look up local laws and regulations. It is also recommended to have a prescription or a doctor's note specifying the necessity of the medication and the amount needed. This documentation should include the generic names of the medications, as brand names may vary across countries.
When entering or leaving China through international airports, passengers are required to declare any medications or controlled substances in their possession. Failure to do so can result in confiscation and potential legal consequences. It is important to be honest during the customs declaration process and provide all the necessary documentation.
In terms of quantity restrictions, Chinese law specifies that the total value of Chinese herbal medicines and Chinese patent drugs carried by passengers should be within a reasonable amount for personal use. The specific value limits vary depending on the destination, with lower limits for Hong Kong and Macau (under 150 RMB for consignment and 300 RMB for personal carriage) and higher limits for other international destinations (under 200 RMB for consignment and 300 RMB for personal carriage).
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Personal belongings
When travelling to China, it's important to be aware of the customs regulations regarding personal belongings. Here's what you need to know:
Currency
When it comes to currency, you can bring up to 20,000 yuan in foreign currency, Chinese yuan (RMB), or traveller's cheques. Any unspent portion can be taken out of China when you leave. However, if you are carrying more than RMB 20,000 or the equivalent of USD 5,000 in foreign currency or other valuables, you must declare this to customs officials.
Medication and Herbal Supplements
Chinese herbal medicines and Chinese patent drugs are permitted within specified limits. The quantity should be within a reasonable amount for personal use and should not exceed the regulated limits.
Prohibited Items
It is important to note that certain items are prohibited from entry into China. These include arms, ammunition, explosives, and any objects listed in the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Quarantine of Inbound and Outbound Animals and Plants, as well as the Catalog of Plants, Animals, Animal Products, and Other Quarantine Objects Prohibited from Entry into China.
Declaration and Inspection
All passengers entering or leaving China, except those under the age of 16 travelling with adults, must complete a customs declaration form and declare any items they are carrying. Inbound passengers must declare any foreign currencies exceeding the specified limits. It is important to retain any declaration documents for return or after entry, as these may be required for relevant formalities.
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Frequently asked questions
The following objects are prohibited from entering China:
- Toxicants, narcotic drugs, and poisonous drugs
- Opium, morphine, and heroin
- Endangered and precious animals, plants, and their seeds or progenitive materials
- Unsanitary foodstuffs and germ-carrying foodstuffs from infected areas
- Objects listed in Paragraph 1 of Article 5 of the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Quarantine of Inbound and Outbound Animals and Plants
- Blood products, wastes, and other objects prohibited by the Chinese government
The following items are allowed to be brought into China duty-free:
- Personal belongings, including food
- Two bottles of liquor and two cartons of cigarettes
- Wristwatches, radios, tape recorders, cameras, and movie cameras for personal use
- Foreign currency, Chinese yuan (RMB), and traveler's checks up to a limit of 20,000 yuan
- Gold and silver products under 50 grams
- Milk powder for personal use (typically one box containing 6 cans if each can is over 800g, or 24 cans if under 800g)
No, you do not need to declare or pay taxes on personal electronic devices if they are within a reasonable quantity (typically one of each item).
If you have something to declare, choose the red channel at the customs office. Declare the item(s) according to the China Customs Luggage Declaration Form and submit the form to the customs officers for inspection.
Diplomatic visitors holding a visa granted by the competent authority of the Chinese government are exempt from filling out the declaration form but must show their valid identity papers to customs officials. Long-term visitors may import and export articles for personal use according to the procedures outlined in the Provisions of the Customs of the People's Republic of China.
