China中国

Travellers arriving in China may bring 1.5 L of alcohol duty-free. Anything above the allowance must be declared at the red channel. Duty-free for travelers entering China: 1.5L of alcohol (≥12% ABV), 400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500g tobacco, and personal goods (excluding alcohol and tobacco) with total value of RMB 5,000 (~$730 USD). Chinese residents returning from abroad who exceed this limit pay customs duty on the excess. Residents of Hong Kong and Macao have a lower allowance.

400 cigarettes per traveller (or proportionally less in cigars / tobacco). Above-limit tobacco must be declared.

Yes. Cash and equivalent bearer instruments above USD 5000 (CNY) must be declared on arrival.

RMB 150 (~USD 21). For cross-border e-commerce (CBEC), a single-transaction limit of RMB 5,000 and annual limit of RMB 26,000 per individual applies; qualifying CBEC goods are taxed at a preferential integrated tax rate. For traditional customs, the de minimis (personal postal articles) is RMB 50 for taxes — effectively, most imports from overseas face some taxation. Business imports: general customs duties, VAT (13%), and consumption tax apply.

Yes — the standard rate is 13%. It generally applies to commercial imports and to e-commerce parcels above the de minimis threshold.

Prescription medicines for personal use are generally allowed in reasonable quantities (typically 30-90 days' supply), accompanied by the original prescription and ideally a doctor's letter. Some controlled substances need import authorisation. Verify with General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) for your specific medicine.

Gifts are accepted by post but are still subject to China's import rules. Tax-relief gift thresholds (where they exist) are typically much lower than commercial thresholds. Declare honestly on the CN22/CN23 — undervaluation is treated as fraud.

A customs declaration filed with General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), a commercial invoice, packing list, and transport document (AWB or B/L). Add a Certificate of Origin to claim FTA preferential duty. Sector-specific imports (food, plants, animals, medicines, electronics, dangerous goods) need additional permits.

The green channel is for travellers with nothing to declare. The red channel is for travellers carrying anything above allowances or any restricted goods. Spot checks happen at both. Lying or hiding goods can lead to seizure plus penalties.

Narcotics and psychotropic substances; Publications, films, and materials deemed harmful to China's political or social stability; Gambling equipment. See the full prohibited list on this page.

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). Restricted items typically need a permit, certificate, or declaration. See the full restricted list on this page.

Use the red channel at the airport. Most ports of entry into China accept either a paper declaration or, increasingly, an electronic declaration via an app or kiosk. Be ready to show receipts, prescriptions, or permits.

Most countries restrict animal-origin food (meat, dairy) for biosecurity reasons; sealed commercial packaged food is sometimes permitted. Verify with General Administration of Customs of China (GACC)'s agricultural / biosecurity authority before bringing food.

Vape rules are changing fast worldwide; China may have specific restrictions, age limits, or outright bans. Verify on the current General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) guidance before travel — bans have grown markedly since 2023.

Many countries require advance import authorisation for opioids, stimulants, and certain psychiatric medicines. Carry the original prescription, doctor's letter, and original packaging. For controlled substances, contact China's health authority before travel.

Yes. Duty-free purchases at the destination airport on arrival count toward your alcohol and tobacco allowance, even though they were purchased after immigration. Buying duty-free at departure rather than arrival does not bypass the allowance.

Above the de minimis, customs assesses duty and VAT/GST on the goods value (plus, in some regimes, freight + insurance). The carrier or postal operator usually clears it and bills the recipient. Recipients can refuse delivery if they don't want to pay.

Yes. If you don't want to pay duties or taxes, you can refuse the parcel and the carrier will return it to sender or destroy it. This does not affect your tax record but means the goods don't enter China.

Standard clearance for compliant parcels is typically same-day to a few days. Holds for incomplete declarations, biosecurity inspection, sanctions screening, or anti-counterfeit checks can take longer. Provide complete declarations to avoid delays.

Your carrier (DHL, FedEx, UPS, postal operator) is the first contact — they handle clearance on your behalf. If you need to deal directly with the authority, contact General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) via the contact route on their official site.

Watch for: fake "customs fees" demands by SMS or email; impostor officials at airports; unsolicited phone calls about a "stuck parcel"; payment requests by gift card. Real customs authorities do not ask for payment via SMS link or gift cards. See our scams page for documented patterns.