Seeds & Plants → China

Seeds & Plants may require documentation or declaration

Details

Seeds & Plants may require documentation or declaration. Enforcement in China carries fines from CNY 5,000 to CNY 50,000 under Customs Law of the PRC Art. 82; Criminal Law of the PRC Art. 153 (ordinary personal cases are handled as civil infringements). Restricted status means compliant carriage is achievable with the right paperwork and quantities; the practical risks are seizure, duty, and delay rather than criminal liability for a good-faith traveller. Arrival checks are carried out by General Administration of Customs of China (GACC); when in doubt use the declare (red) channel — declared goods at worst attract duty or surrender, while undeclared goods attract penalties. Leaving China with seeds & plants is a separate question: restricted — Seeds and live plants exported from China need phytosanitary certification for most destinations; casual carriage is routinely seized on arrival.

Documentation required

• Documentation may be required

Leaving with this item

Seeds and live plants exported from China need phytosanitary certification for most destinations; casual carriage is routinely seized on arrival.

Practical advice

China restricts import of Seeds & Plants. Personal-use retail-packaged quantities may clear with declaration and inspection but home-prepared, loose-packed, or above-personal-use quantities typically require a Phytosanitary Certificate (plants) or Export Health Certificate (animal-origin). Verify current rules with General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) before travel — biosecurity rules change frequently on specific commodities.

Customs authority

General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) · http://www.customs.gov.cn