China Customs Prohibited Items List - Complete Guide to Restricted & Declare Items
China strictly prohibits entry of weapons, ammunition, narcotics, counterfeit currency, and obscene materials. Restricted items include tobacco, alcohol, endangered species products, and excess cash. Items exceeding duty-free limits or requiring inspection must be declared to customs.
- Firearms (including air guns, replica guns)
- Ammunition, explosives, detonators
- Military/police equipment, crossbows
- Penalty: Criminal prosecution for weapons possession
- All illegal drugs (heroin, cocaine, marijuana, etc.)
- Drug precursors and semi-finished products
- Drug paraphernalia
- Penalty: Death sentence possible for drug trafficking
- Counterfeit money, stamps, documents
- Forged credit/debit cards
- Gambling equipment
- Publications/videos threatening national security
- Obscene or pornographic materials
- Religious materials distributed unsolicited
- Highly toxic chemicals
- Radioactive substances
- Infectious disease pathogens
| Origin | Cigarettes | Alcohol |
|---|
| From HK/Macau | 200 (1 carton) | 1 liter |
| From other regions | 400 (2 cartons) | 2 liters |
Declare and pay duty on quantities exceeding limits
Absolutely Prohibited:
- Fresh fruits, vegetables
- Meat products (sausages, ham, cured meats, etc.)
- Eggs, dairy products
- Seeds, seedlings, soil
- Wildlife and products
- Endangered species and products
Allowed with Quarantine:
- Dried products (processed meat jerky, dried fish)
- Pet food (with packaging and quarantine certificate)
- Plant seeds (research purposes require declaration)
Prohibited:
- Psychotropic substances
- Narcotic drugs
- Unapproved imported medications
Restricted:
- Personal-use medications need doctor's prescription
- Traditional Chinese medicine has species restrictions
- Keep original packaging and medical certificates
- RMB: 20,000 yuan limit
- Foreign Currency: 5,000 USD equivalent limit
- Declaration required for excess amounts
- Amounts over 10,000 USD require bank documentation
- Antiques and ancient artworks
- Ivory and ivory products
- Rhinoceros horn, tiger bone
- Products from rare species (pangolin, hawksbill turtle)
- Dual-use items (certain climbing equipment)
- Tobacco/alcohol exceeding duty-free limits
- Currency exceeding limits
- Animal/plant products requiring inspection
- Items beyond reasonable personal quantity
- Cultural artifacts and art collections
- Temporary imports/exports
- "Customs fingertip" Mini-program: Declare online 24 hours in advance
- Paper Declaration Card: Complete on plane or at port
- On-site Declaration: Voluntarily inform customs officers
If you have items requiring declaration:
- Return to origin: Send items back overseas
- Temporary storage: Items stored by customs, retrieved at departure
- Pay duty and enter: Import items by paying applicable tariffs
- Review prohibited/restricted lists before departure
- When uncertain, declare rather than risk it
- Keep declarable items in accessible carry-on location
- Cooperate with inspections, answer questions honestly
- Stay cooperative: Remain calm during investigation
- Explain clearly: Describe item origin and purpose
- Accept consequences: Pay fines or surrender items as required
- Keep documentation: Retain penalty notices and receipts
- Proactive declaration: When uncertain, declare rather than risk penalty
- Keep original packaging: Helps verify item legitimacy
- Save receipts: Shopping receipts prove item value and origin
- Inform companions: Ensure travel companions check their bags too
- Inspect luggage before departure: Check thoroughly for prohibited items
- Know local regulations: Different countries have different import rules
- Remove sensitive content: Delete questionable content from electronic devices
- Travel insurance: Include baggage and personal effects coverage
- Emergency contacts: Keep Chinese embassy contact information handy
- General Administration of Customs: www.customs.gov.cn
- Customs Hotline: 12360
- China Prohibited Import/Export Items List (GAC Announcement)
