🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates vs 🇨🇳 China
Side-by-side customs reference: duty-free allowance, de minimis, VAT, restricted and prohibited categories, and customs authority.
| 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | 🇨🇳 China | |
|---|---|---|
| Customs authority | Federal Customs Authority (FCA) | General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) |
| VAT / GST | 5% | 13% / 9% / 6% |
| De minimis (USD) | USD 272 | USD 21 |
| Cash declaration (USD) | USD 16000 | USD 5000 |
| Duty-free alcohol (L) | 4 | 1.5 |
| Duty-free cigarettes | 400 | 400 |
| Duty-free personal goods (USD) | USD 680 | USD 730 |
| Prohibited categories | 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 | 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 |
| Restricted categories | 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 | 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 |
| Known scams | Fake Dubai Customs 'duty owed' SMS / WhatsApp messages. Dubai Customs directs all payment to the e-Declaration portal; no payment by SMS link. | 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). |
Detailed pages: United Arab Emirates • China
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