China customs rules & duty-free allowances

Last reviewed October 1, 2026·Official source

China's customs regime is one of the strictest in the world, and the single biggest risk for visitors is not the odd bottle of wine — it is cash. Undeclared currency above the threshold is treated as smuggling, and officers have broad powers to search bags and seize funds. If you are unsure about anything, use the red channel; the green channel is a legal declaration, not a shortcut.

Duty-free allowances

Alcohol
1.5 L
1.5L of alcoholic beverages over 12% ABV (spirits, wine). Beer and other drinks under 12% ABV do not count against this duty-free allowance. Must be 18+.
Tobacco
400 cigarettes
or 100 cigars / — g
Cash to declare
$10,000
CNY 20,000 or the foreign-currency equivalent of USD 10,000 (about CNY 72,000). Declare on the China Customs Declaration Form and use the red channel. This applies to cash, traveller's cheques, and bearer negotiable instruments.
Goods duty-free
$800
Personal-use goods valued up to CNY 5,000 (about USD 700) for non-residents are duty-free. Above that, duty plus import VAT and consumption tax apply — typically 20–50% depending on the item category. Single items over CNY 5,000 that are clearly for personal use may still be assessed.

Prohibited — banned from import

  • Narcotics and psychotropic drugs (including cannabis in any form, even where legal abroad)
  • Amphetamine-type stimulants and unapproved prescription drugs such as Adderall
  • Fresh meat, dairy, eggs and most animal products from countries with disease outbreaks
  • Fresh fruit, vegetables, seeds, live plants and soil
  • Counterfeit currency, counterfeit goods and pirated media
  • Weapons, ammunition and explosives without prior approval

Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration

  • Cash over CNY 20,000 / USD 10,000 equivalent — must be declared
  • Personal medication, especially controlled substances — prescription and doctor's letter required
  • Radio transmitters, satellite phones and walkie-talkies — require a licence
  • Drones and certain wireless devices — may need registration or approval
  • Antiques, cultural relics and protected wildlife products — export/import permits required

Arriving: red vs green channel

Fill in the China Customs Declaration Form before landing — it is handed out on the plane or available at the arrival hall. If you have nothing to declare and are within all allowances, walk through the green channel; if you are carrying cash over the threshold, goods over the limit, or restricted items, use the red channel. All baggage is X-rayed, and officers can and do open bags for inspection.

Tax-free shopping & VAT refunds

China runs a departure tax-refund scheme for foreign visitors: minimum purchase CNY 500 in a single day at a single tax-refund-designated store, goods must be taken out within 90 days, and you claim at the airport refund counter before check-in (show the goods, receipts, passport and the Tax Refund Application Form). Refund is 11% of the VAT-inclusive price, minus a handling fee. Not available for Chinese residents.

Bringing medication

Bring personal medication in original packaging with a doctor's letter or prescription; keep quantities to a reasonable personal supply (generally up to 30 days). China is strict on controlled substances — amphetamine-based drugs (e.g. Adderall), many strong opioids, and some sedatives are illegal or heavily restricted, and bringing them without prior approval from Chinese authorities can lead to arrest. Declare anything controlled and carry documentation.

Food, plants & animal products

Fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy, eggs, seeds, live plants and soil are prohibited or require an import permit and phytosanitary certificate. Commercially packaged, shelf-stable snacks are usually fine. Declare any food or plant material — undeclared items are confiscated and can trigger fines.

Rules worth knowing

Cash declaration is the #1 enforcement trigger

Carrying the equivalent of USD 10,000 or more in or out without declaring it is treated as smuggling. Customs can seize the cash and impose fines, and repeat or large cases can lead to criminal charges. Declare on the arrival card and use the red channel.

Green channel means nothing to declare

The green channel is not a shortcut — it is a legal declaration that you have nothing to declare. If officers find undeclared goods or cash, you face confiscation and fines even if the item itself is legal.

Tobacco allowance is alternatives, not a total

You get 400 cigarettes OR 100 cigars OR 500g of tobacco — not a mix of all three. Bringing 400 cigarettes plus 100 cigars exceeds the allowance and the excess is dutiable.

Cannabis is illegal regardless of foreign legality

Even if you legally bought cannabis products in Canada, the US or elsewhere, bringing any cannabis or CBD product into China is a criminal offence. Do not carry it, and do not assume a prescription protects you.

Frequently asked questions

If you stay in the international transit area and do not pass through immigration, you generally do not clear customs. If you enter China (even for a few hours) or collect and re-check your bags, you pass through customs and the full allowances apply.
Amphetamine-based medications such as Adderall are controlled and generally prohibited in China. You need prior approval from Chinese health authorities before travelling with them. Many travellers switch to a permitted alternative or leave them at home — bringing them without approval risks arrest.
Up to CNY 20,000 in renminbi, or the foreign-currency equivalent of USD 10,000 (about CNY 72,000). Anything at or above that must be declared on the China Customs Declaration Form and you must use the red channel.
No — personal electronics for your own use are not dutiable and do not need declaring, provided they are clearly for personal use and you take them out again. If you are bringing multiple identical devices that look like stock for resale, declare them.
Customs can seize the excess goods, charge duty plus a penalty, and in serious cases treat it as smuggling. The green channel is a legal declaration, so an honest mistake is still an offence — when in doubt, use the red channel.
Fresh meat, dairy, eggs, fruit and vegetables are prohibited or need permits and are routinely confiscated. Commercially sealed, shelf-stable snacks are usually fine. Declare any food you are unsure about.
Yes, arrival duty-free shops exist at major airports such as Beijing Capital, Beijing Daxing and Shanghai Pudong, but the allowance is the same as your general duty-free entitlement — buying there does not give you a separate extra allowance.

Official source

General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC)

For guidance only. Customs allowances and prohibited-item lists change without notice — always confirm with General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC) before travelling.