🇨🇳 China— Cash & Currency
General Administration of Customs of China (GACC)
2026-04-25
Declaration Threshold
US$5,000
CNY
You must declare to customs if you are carrying cash, traveler's cheques, money orders, or negotiable bearer instruments totaling above this amount when entering or leaving China.
What Must Be Declared
| Instrument | Declaration Required |
|---|---|
| Physical currency (any currency) | Yes, if above threshold |
| Traveler's cheques | Yes, if above threshold |
| Bank drafts / money orders | Yes, if above threshold |
| Bearer bonds / negotiable instruments | Yes, if above threshold |
| Credit cards / debit cards | Generally no |
| Electronic payment apps | Generally no |
Failure to declare
Carrying undeclared cash above the threshold can result in seizure of funds, fines, and in some jurisdictions criminal prosecution. When in doubt, declare.
Additional Country Notes
- 01All imported food must come from GACC-registered overseas facilities — exporters to China need to register with GACC.
- 02China's import tariffs and trade measures have been subject to significant changes in the context of US-China trade tensions.
- 03VAT on imports is 13% (standard) or 9% (for some goods like agricultural products).
- 04The National Customs Clearance Integration Reform (NCCIR) unified customs administration.
- 05Special cross-border e-commerce zones (Hainan Free Trade Port, etc.) offer preferential import rules.
- 06China restricts VPN and internet-related product imports.
- 07Annual individual cross-border e-commerce limit is RMB 26,000.