Country Information

The following items may be imported into China without incurring customs duty: • 400 cigarettes and 100 cigars and 500g of tobacco.
• 1.5L of alcoholic beverages with 12% or more alcoholic content.
• Personal articles up to a value of ¥5,000 for Chinese residents.
• Personal articles which will be left in China up to a value of ¥2,000 for non-residents.

Arms and ammunition, imitation arms, narcotics, fruit, animals and animal products, and any publication (print, audio or video) directed against the public order and the morality of China.

Customs officials may seize audio and videotapes, books, records and CDs to check for pornographic, political or religious material. You must complete baggage declaration forms upon arrival noting all valuables (such as cameras, watches and jewellery); this may be checked on departure. You should keep receipts for items such as jewellery, jade, handicrafts, paintings, calligraphy or other similar items in order to obtain an export certificate from the authorities on leaving. Without this documentation, you cannot take such items out of the country.

All articles banned from import as well as publications or media containing state secrets, valuable cultural artefacts, and endangered/rare animals and plants (and their seeds).