CUSTOMS

IMPORT REGULATIONS

Free to Import

Tobacco (restricted to travellers 16 years and over)

All of the following:

• 400 cigarettes;
• 100 cigars; and
• 500g tobacco.

Alcohol (restricted to travellers 16 years and over)

• Up to 1.5 litres of alcohol containing 12% or higher alcohol volume.

Currency

• Travellers may import up to RMB20,000 of local currency.
• Travellers wishing to import US$5000 or over or its equivalent in a foreign currency must declare it to customs.

Other Goods

• Chinese residents may carry personal gifts and effects up to a value of RMB5000.
• Non-Chinese residents may carry personal items to remain in China up to a value of RMB2000.

Prohibited

The following are goods which cannot be brought into the country.

• Arms, ammunition, and explosives of all kinds.
• Counterfeit currencies and negotiable securities.
• Printed matter, films, photographs, and other media which are detrimental to the political, economic, cultural, and moral interests of China.
• Deadly poisons of all kinds.
• Addictive drugs and psychotropic substances, such as opium, heroin, morphine, and marijuana.
• Foodstuff coming from an epidemic stricken area which may be harmful to humans and livestock.

Restricted

These goods are strictly regulated, and in most cases require a permit to be obtained prior to arrival.

• Animals, plants, and their derivative products must be declared, and are subject to restrictions and quarantine upon arrival.
• Radio transmitters, radio receivers, and communication security equipment must be declared upon arrival.
• Goods of commercial value, samples, and advertisements.

EXPORT REGULATIONS

Prohibited

The following are goods which cannot be taken out of the country.

• All articles on the prohibited to import list.
• Manuscripts, printed matter, photographs, storage media for computers, and other articles which involve state secrets.
• Valuable cultural relics.
• Endangered and rare animals and plants, their seeds, and their reproducing materials.

Restricted

These goods are strictly regulated, and in most cases require a permit to be obtained prior to departure.

• Electronics valued at over RMB5000 and intended to be brought back into China must be declared.
• Travellers may export up to RMB20,000 of local currency.
• Travellers wishing to export US$5000 or over or its equivalent in a foreign currency must declare it to customs.
• Gold, sliver, and other precious metals must be declared.
• Cultural relics and endangered plants.
• Radio transmitters, radio receivers, and communication security equipment.
• Goods of commercial value, samples, and advertisements.

For further information, please visit the People's Republic of China General Administration of Customs.