🇨🇳 China vs 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
Side-by-side customs reference: duty-free allowance, de minimis, VAT, restricted and prohibited categories, and customs authority.
| 🇨🇳 China | 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Customs authority | General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) | Federal Customs Authority (FCA) |
| VAT / GST | 13% / 9% / 6% | 5% |
| De minimis (USD) | USD 21 | USD 272 |
| Cash declaration (USD) | USD 5000 | USD 16000 |
| Duty-free alcohol (L) | 1.5 | 4 |
| Duty-free cigarettes | 400 | 400 |
| Duty-free personal goods (USD) | USD 730 | USD 680 |
| Prohibited categories | Narcotics and psychotropic substances; Publications, films, and materials deemed harmful to China's political or social stability; Gambling equipment; Counterfeit currency; Animal and plant species protected under CITES without permits | Narcotics and psychotropic substances (extremely strict enforcement; trace amounts can lead to imprisonment); Pork products in some emirates; Material offensive to Islam; Gambling equipment; Counterfeit goods |
| Restricted categories | Food and agricultural products (GACC registration required for exporters; China Inspection and Quarantine — CIQ); Pharmaceuticals (NMPA (formerly CFDA) approval required); Firearms and weapons (Ministry of Public Security strict permits required); Certain chemicals and hazardous materials; Radioactive materials | Alcohol (only non-Muslim adults in licensed areas; strict regulations in conservative emirates like Sharjah where it is banned); Pork products (available at licensed outlets but restricted in general market); Prescription and controlled medications (Ministry of Health permit required; quantities limited); Firearms and weapons (Ministry of Interior permit required); Gambling devices |
| Known scams | Fake Chinese visa / invitation-letter services demanding high fees. Use only the embassy / consulate in your home country or authorised Chinese Visa Application Service Centers (CVASC). | Fake Dubai Customs 'duty owed' SMS / WhatsApp messages. Dubai Customs directs all payment to the e-Declaration portal; no payment by SMS link. |
Detailed pages: China • United Arab Emirates
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