China Customs Declaration

China Customs of Beijing International Airport
Customs of Beijing International Airport
 What is the difference between the red channel and the green channel?

 Answer: They are two channels in China Customs. If you have nothing to declare, please take the green one, otherwise pass through the red one. When you are uncertain which one to take, choose the red one.


 How much US currency and Chinese RMB can I bring in?

 Answer: 5,000 US dollars (or equivalent in any foreign currency) or 20,000 CNY is permitted. If you have more than this amount, related documents will be needed and you need to declare to the customs.


 Do I need to declare my golden necklace which I am going to wear when traveling in China?

 Answer: According to the regulations, if gold, silver and the products made from them are less than 50g (2 ounce), they are duty-free and do not need to be declared. If the weight exceeds the limitation, you should declare it.


Green Channel and Red Channel
Green Channel and Red Channel

 What about the gold objects I have bought in China?

 Answer: All the receipts for valuable articles, such as jewelry, jade, gold and silver ornaments, handicrafts, artifacts, paintings and calligraphy that you buy in China should be kept for the exit check.


 How many cans of milk powder can I take to China?

 Answer: Milk powder of reasonable amount for personal use is duty-free and does not need to be declared. Usually, each visitor is allowed to take one box, containing 6 cans if each can is over 800g in weight, or 24 cans if each can is less than 800g. For the part exceeding the limit, you should declare it and pay the tax. The tax rate for infant milk powder is 5 percent.


 I’m traveling to China with my Iphone, Ipad, and MacBook. Do I need to declare them and pay the tax when I enter China? 

 Answer: You do not need to declare and pay the tax for your personal items, such as smart phone, tablet PC, laptop, and digital camera, if within reasonable quantity (one for each). However, if you are taking another brand new phone or laptop with the outer packing and instruction book as a gift for your friend in China, you should declare the new one and pay the tax.


 Are cigarettes and alcohol duty-free?

 Answer: up to 400 cigarettes or 100 cigars and up to 1.5 liters of alcoholic beverages (alcohol measure above 12 degrees) are duty-free either entering or exiting. More than the limited amount needs to be declared and a certain mount of duty needs to be paid.


 Can you give specific information about the things need to be declared?

 Answer: The followings need to be declared according to the China Customs Luggage Declaration Form when entering into China:
1. Any item that will be left in China whose value exceeds 2,000 CNY
2. More than 400 cigarettes or 100 cigars and 1.5 liters of alcoholic beverages (alcohol measure above 12 degrees)
3. Foreign currency greater than 5,000 US dollars or the equivalent, or 20,000 CNY
4. Animals and animal products, microorganism, biological products, human tissue, blood and blood products
5. Transceiver, communications devices.
6. Any items prohibited and limited according to the laws of the People's Republic of China
7. Luggage that need to be transported separately
8. Cargo, commercial samples, advertising items

The followings need to be declared according to the China Customs Luggage Declaration Form when exiting the country:
1. Foreign currency above 5,000 US dollars or equivalent, or 20,000 CNY
2. Gold, silver and other valuable items
3. Cultural relics, endangered animals and plants as well as their products, biological species resources  
4. Transceiver, communication devices.
5. Any items prohibited and limited according to the laws of the People's Republic of China
6. Cargo, commercial sample, advertising items


 Will I be punished if I did not declare the things that need to be declared?

 Answer: Yes. China Customs follows the regulation strictly. There is detailed information about what kind of things needed to be declare on the Declaration Form, so check your Custom Declaration Form carefully and make sure you complete it accurately. 

Note: Custom Declaration is quite a troublesome procedure. We strongly recommended that foreign travelers should ask in advance if you may have any problems concerning the regulations. You can consult your travel agency or the Custom Declaration office in the airport for help.

- Last updated on Apr. 08, 2024 -
Questions & Answers on China Customs Declaration
Asked by Winnie from BELGIUM | Apr. 04, 2024 07:28Reply
Buying gold in China
If I buy Bank of China gold bars of 200g in China using my BOC account, and I want to bring it abroad with me, all I have to do is declare it and show them the receipts of using my account to buy, that's it? Or is there more documents needed? Will there be any upward limit on how much gold I can bring? Thank you!
Answers (3)
Answered by Rita | Apr. 06, 2024 23:50
00Reply


If carrying gold and its products more than 50g out of China, you will need a certificate by People's Bank of China to go through the customs.
Answered by Winnie | Apr. 08, 2024 02:48
00Reply


Hi thanks, but as I am buying the gold via a local chinese bank, are they going to arrange this certificate for me? The money that I use to purchase is from the interest I have been receiving from BOC on my fixed deposits.
Answered by Rita | Apr. 08, 2024 19:23
00Reply


You need to go the local government (above the county level) to state the situation and get a certificate, then take it to the local people's bank or its authorized agency which can issue the exit permit of carrying gold and silver. Then show the exit permit to the customs.
Asked by JC from USA | Apr. 01, 2024 17:47Reply
bringing a brand new iPhone for my wife into China
If I'm taking a new iPhone to China, as long as I don't bring the outer box and/or instructions book, is that duty free?
Answers (1)
Answered by Marcy | Apr. 02, 2024 00:33
00Reply


Yes because it is for personal use, not profits.
Asked by Clay from HONG KONG SAR | Mar. 30, 2024 21:36Reply
Can I bring a jar of peanut butter and nuttela, mixed nuts, protein bars and instant coffee
I want to bring a jar of each for personal use, since I'm going on a tour and those are my favourite foods, can I bring them without declaring it?
Answers (1)
Answered by Randy | Apr. 01, 2024 00:57
00Reply


You can bring them.
Asked by Robert from AUSTRALIA | Mar. 29, 2024 20:17Reply
Professionally packaged honey
Hello, Can I still take professionally packaged honey into China, as gifts for my clients?
Answers (3)
Answered by Lori | Apr. 01, 2024 00:50
00Reply


Yes, you can.
Answered by Robert | Apr. 01, 2024 04:16
00Reply


Thanks Lori, how do you know this?
Answered by Lori | Apr. 01, 2024 18:46
00Reply


I check the regulations of China Customs.
Asked by Alex from CANADA | Mar. 25, 2024 12:48Reply
Bring cash to China
Hi, is the US$5000 limit per person or per family? Thank you.
Answers (1)
Answered by Lori | Mar. 26, 2024 19:07
00Reply


Per person.
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