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 Sep. 07, 2023 -
Questions & Answers on China Customs Declaration
Asked by Nat from AUSTRALIA | Dec. 07, 2023 19:00Reply
425 g Gold Specimen piece
I have a gold and quartz specimen piece with approximately 425 grams of gold in it. What is the duty % to pay over 50 grams if I need to take it to Hong Kong to give to a buyer?
Answers (1)
Answered by Daisy | Dec. 08, 2023 01:01
00Reply


Generally, you need to pay 20% tax.
Asked by Dmitry from RUSSIA | Dec. 06, 2023 21:28Reply
I will be travelling from China abroad and will have cash both in RMB and USD. Do i need to declare?
Do i need to declare the cash in amount of 19,900 RMB AND 4,900 USD?
What supporting papers from my ICBC bank are required for Customs?
(fyi, I am Russian, working in China, have work permit, work contract and tax declaration)
Answers (1)
Answered by Hailey | Dec. 07, 2023 22:30
00Reply


Generally, you can take at most 20,000 RMB or 5,000 USD without declaration. If you take more than USD 5,000, and less than USD 10,000, you need to apply for a Permit for Taking out Foreign Currency of the Customs from your bank.
Asked by Deepak from INDIA | Nov. 13, 2023 09:05Reply
Can gold chain of 10 gms gift for china friend meed to be declare at custom upaon arrival
Answers (1)
Answered by Thomas | Nov. 13, 2023 23:19
00Reply


Generally, you don't need to declare the gold product under 50g.
Asked by Bruce from AUSTRALIA | Nov. 07, 2023 09:19Reply
Airport transfer
Do I have to declare these items during an airport transfer? I am not leaving the airport.
Also if I have more than 10,000 dollars, and declare it, is there anything else that will be required or asked of me?
I will also be transporting my family's jewellery. Do I have to declare it and is there anything else that will be asked of me?
Answers (1)
Answered by James | Nov. 08, 2023 00:49
00Reply


Is your flight a connecting flight? If yes, generally it doesn't need to declare.
Asked by Tony from CANADA | Oct. 30, 2023 18:22Reply
Gold and Silver gifts
I received a gold and a silver coin while in China so I do not have the receipt. How do I declare it? Also, are there any forms I can fill in advance to make the process faster?
Answers (1)
Answered by Hank | Oct. 30, 2023 20:37
00Reply


It is better to contact China custom directly to confirm the details.
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