China Restricted & Prohibited Items: Entry/Exit Declaration Rules

China’s customs regulations aim to protect national security, public health, cultural heritage, and ecological environment. All inbound and outbound passengers must abide by the "personal use + reasonable quantity" principle for carried items. Items beyond this scope, prohibited, or restricted require formal declaration or relevant permits—failure to declare may result in confiscation, fines, or legal liability.

Entering China: Prohibited/Restricted Items & Declaration Rules

Entering China: Prohibited/Restricted Items

Duty-Free Items: Limits & Exemptions

Duty-free privileges apply only to personal items for non-commercial use. Exceeding limits requires duty payment.

• Chinese Residents (returning after overseas travel): Total value of overseas-purchased personal items ≤ RMB 5,000 (duty-free); excess portion is levied duty (tax rate varies by item, generally 10%-50%).
• Non-Chinese Residents (temporarily staying in China): Total value of items intended to remain in China ≤ RMB 2,000 (duty-free); excess is subject to duty.
• Tobacco & Alcohol Limits (universal for adults):
• • Alcohol: ≤ 1,500ml (alcohol content ≥12%);
  • Cigarettes: ≤ 400 sticks (or cigars ≤100 sticks, or tobacco ≤500g);
  • Excess quantities must be declared and taxed.

Cash & Currency Declaration Rules

• Chinese Yuan (RMB): Maximum carry-on limit = RMB 20,000; excess is prohibited.
• Foreign Currency: No limit for entry, but amounts ≥ US$5,000 (or equivalent) must be declared.
• • Tip: If you plan to take unspent foreign currency out of China later, fill out two declaration forms—keep the customs-endorsed copy for exit verification.

Items Requiring Mandatory Declaration for Entry

Choose the Red Channel (Goods to Declare) if carrying any of the following:

1. Items exceeding duty-free limits in value or quantity;
2. Cash ≥ RMB 20,000 or foreign currency ≥ US$5,000;
3. Animals, plants, or their products (e.g., meat, milk, eggs, bird’s nests, fresh fruits);
4. Medicines (prescription drugs, Chinese herbal medicines, health supplements);
5. Electronics (radio transmitters, communication devices, drones);
6. Commercial goods, samples, or advertisements;
7. Unaccompanied baggage (shipped separately from your travel itinerary);
8. Cultural relics, endangered species, or precious metals.

Exempted Items for Entry

• Personal daily necessities (e.g., clothing, toiletries) within reasonable quantity;
• One unit of each common personal electronic device (e.g., phone, camera) for personal use (not for resale);
• Small gifts with low value (generally ≤ RMB 100 per recipient, total value not exceeding duty-free limits).

Exit China: Prohibited/Restricted Items & Declaration Rules

Exit China: Prohibited/Restricted Items & Declaration Rules

High-Value Items: Declaration for Re-Entry

If carrying high-value items (≥ RMB 5,000 per unit) that you plan to bring back to China later (e.g., laptop, camera, luxury watch), fill out two customs declaration forms upon exit. Keep the endorsed copy to prove the item was originally brought from abroad and avoid duty on re-entry.

Cash & Currency Limits for Exit

• Same as entry rules: RMB carry-on limit ≤ 20,000; foreign currency amounts ≥ US$5,000 must be declared (with proof of legal source if exceeding the amount declared upon entry).
• Prohibited: Illegally obtained foreign currency or drafts.

Prohibited/Restricted Export Items

Mandatory declaration or official permits are required for the following items:

1. Cultural relics (especially those over 100 years old, or classified as national treasures—requires a valid Cultural Relic Export Permit);
2. Endangered animals/plants and their products (e.g., ivory, rhino horn, tiger bone, certain protected herbal medicines);
3. Precious metals (gold, silver, platinum) in large quantities;
4. Radio transmitters, communication security devices, or drones (requires relevant regulatory approvals);
5. Chinese herbal medicines/patented drugs prohibited for export (e.g., musk, dried toad venom, tiger bone-containing products);
6. Items involving state secrets (manuscripts, data storage devices with sensitive information);
7. Commercial goods with high value (≥ RMB 5,000) or large quantity.

China Strictly Prohibited Items (Entry & Exit)

China Strictly Prohibited Items

These items are banned in both directions—carrying them may lead to legal action, including fines, confiscation, or criminal charges.

Weapons & Explosives

• Firearms, ammunition, imitation guns, grenades, dynamite, and other explosive devices.

Counterfeit & Illegal Goods

• Fake currency, counterfeit securities, pirated products, or counterfeit branded goods (e.g., fake luxury bags, knockoff electronics).

Harmful Media & Information

• Printed matter, films, photos, audio/video tapes, USB drives, or online data that endangers China’s politics, economy, culture, or public morality (e.g., anti-government content, violent/obscene materials).

Drugs & Nar cotics

• All addictive drugs or psychotropic substances (without special official permits).

Toxic & Hazardous Items

• Lethal poisons, highly toxic chemicals, pathogenic microorganisms, animal/plant pests, or infected animal carcasses.

Entry-Specific Prohibited Items

• Fresh fruits, solanaceous vegetables (e.g., tomatoes, potatoes), live animals (except qualified pets), and animal products from epidemic areas;
• Soil, genetically modified organisms, or items that may spread diseases (e.g., unprocessed meat, raw milk).

Exit-Specific Prohibited Items

• Unregistered cultural relics or national treasure-level artifacts;
• Rare and precious non-commercial books on China’s revolution, history, or culture;
• Unauthorized biological species resources.

China Restricted Items by Category

China Restricted Items by Category

Pets (Dogs & Cats)

• Limit: Only 1 pet per traveler (dogs or cats only; other pet species require special regulatory approval).
• Required Documents:
• 1. Official quarantine certificate issued by the exporting country/region;
  2. Rabies vaccination certificate (vaccination must be completed at least 30 days before entry).
• Process: Declare at the Red Channel → Customs refers to the port animal/plant quarantine office → Quarantine inspection (certificate valid for 30 days) → Release if qualified.
• Note: No pets are allowed entry without complete documents; excess pets will be temporarily detained or returned.

Medicines & Health Supplements

Prescription Drugs

• Quantity: Must be for personal use (generally ≤7-day supply; longer supply requires a doctor’s note and original prescription).
• Controlled Substances: Strong painkillers, sedatives, or cold medications containing ephedrine require special permits—carry only small quantities for emergency use.

Chinese Herbal Medicines & Patented Drugs

• Export Prohibited: Musk, dried toad venom, tiger bone, rhino horn, and products containing these ingredients.
• Quantity Limits:
• • For Hong Kong/Macau destinations: ≤ RMB 150 (carry-on) or ≤ RMB 100 (shipped);
  • For overseas destinations: ≤ RMB 300 (carry-on) or ≤ RMB 200 (shipped).

Health Supplements (e.g., Vitamins, Protein Powders)

• Must be commercially packaged, intended for personal use, and within reasonable quantity (no large batches for resale).

Food & High-End Foods

Prohibited Food Items

• Raw/uncooked meat, dairy, eggs, unprocessed bird’s nests, and fresh fruits/vegetables (due to pest and disease risks).
• Food from epidemic areas or without clear packaging and labels.

Restricted High-End Foods (e.g., Dried Abalone, Sea Cucumber, Processed Cubilose)

• Quantity: For personal use only (total value ≤ RMB 1,000); excess requires duty payment (tax rate approximately 10%).
• Note: Gifts from friends or family are considered personal effects but need declaration if exceeding quantity or value limits.

Electronics & Communication Devices

• Drones (UAVs): Mandatory declaration required; entry approval from the Civil Aviation Administration of China is needed (especially for large drones or those with camera/recording functions).
• Radio Transmitters/Receivers: Prohibited without permits from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (e.g., walkie-talkies, signal jammers).
• Common Electronics (Phones, Laptops): 1-2 units for personal use are exempt from declaration; more units require formal customs approval and may be taxed.

Cosmetics & Toiletries

• Water spray, perfume, or aerosols: Carry-on limits (≤100ml per container; total ≤1L) – checked baggage has no volume restrictions.
• Quantity: For personal use only (no commercial quantities, e.g., 20+ bottles of skincare products).

Customs Declaration Process in China

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How to Declare in China

1. Obtain the Form: Get the <China Customs Baggage Declaration Form> (inward/outward versions) at customs counters, airports, or seaports (available in both Chinese and English).
2. Fill Out Truthfully: Include item name, quantity, value, purpose (personal/commercial), and whether you plan to re-export the item.
3. Choose the Correct Channel:
4. • Red Channel: For items requiring declaration (excess cash, prohibited/restricted items, duty-excess goods);
   • Green Channel: For items with no declaration requirements (within duty-free limits, no prohibited items).
4. Submit & Verify: Present the completed form, passport, and relevant supporting documents (permits, prescriptions, receipts) to customs officers for inspection.
5. Retain the Form: Keep the customs-endorsed copy for re-entry or exit verification (critical for high-value items and foreign currency).

Required Documents for Declaration in China

• Valid passport or travel document;
• Completed Baggage Declaration Form;
• Supporting documents (prescriptions for medications, quarantine certificates for pets, permits for restricted items, receipts for high-value goods).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Hiding prohibited/restricted items (severe consequences include fines, confiscation, or criminal charges);
• Underreporting item value to evade duty payments;
• Forgetting to declare high-value items for re-entry (may result in being taxed as imported goods upon return);
• Ignoring quantity limits for tobacco, alcohol, or medications.

For the latest official rules, refer to: China Customs English Website

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