Customs Declaration for Passengers of China and Related Regulations

1. Declaration Requirements

Travelers carrying or separately transporting the following items into or out of China must declare them truthfully to customs:

1. Items subject to customs duties or limited duty-free entry;
2. Personal effects for travel and items exceeding the standard limit but still necessary for the trip;
3. Items prohibited or restricted by the state, including cultural relics, currency, gold, silver, and their products, as well as printed materials, audiovisual products, etc.;
4. Goods, samples, and other items exceeding the personal luggage limit.

2. Red and Green Channels

Travelers who need to handle tax payment or customs inspection procedures should use the “Red Channel”; other travelers can use the “Green Channel.” The “Red Channel” is marked with a red square, and the “Green Channel” with a green octagon.

3. General Regulations

1. At customs, all luggage items must be presented for inspection. Items not cleared by customs cannot be retrieved or shipped.
2. For separately transported luggage, declare it on the “Passenger Luggage Declaration Form.” Customs will clear it if it arrives within six months from the date of entry.
3. Keep the “Passenger Luggage Declaration Form” with the customs stamp safely for processing related procedures upon departure or re-entry.
4. Items released duty-free by customs must be reported and duties paid if sold, transferred, or used for other purposes within two years.
5. Luggage items temporarily cleared for duty-free entry or exit must be re-exported or re-imported within the approved time limit.
6. Do not open or damage the customs seals on luggage.
7. For luggage not cleared by customs or required to be returned, the traveler or their agent must complete the procedures within the designated time. Otherwise, customs will handle it according to the law.

4. Restricted Items

1. Tobacco and Alcohol Travelers aged 16 and over can bring the following duty-free amounts:
   • Travelers to/from Hong Kong and Macau (including travelers from the mainland to Hong Kong and Macau for family visits or tourism):
     • 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco
     • One bottle of alcohol (not exceeding 0.75 liters)
   • Travelers making frequent short-term trips to/from Hong Kong and Macau:
     • 40 cigarettes or 5 cigars or 40 grams of tobacco
     • No duty-free alcohol
   • Other travelers:
     • 400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500 grams of tobacco
     • Two bottles of alcohol (not exceeding 1.5 liters)
2. Gold, Silver, and Their Products Bringing gold, silver, and their products into China should be limited to a reasonable amount for personal use, declared to customs, and released after registration. When re-exporting, customs will verify the quantity and weight based on the entry declaration. For gold, silver, and their products purchased within China (including inlaid items, utensils, and new crafts), a “special invoice” issued by the People’s Bank of China is required.
3. Currency Chinese citizens and foreigners are limited to carrying 20,000 RMB and 5,000 USD per person per entry or exit.
4. Foreign Exchange Carrying foreign exchange, RMB exchange tickets, traveler’s checks, or letters of credit into China is unrestricted but must be declared to customs. For re-export, customs will verify the declared amount. Carrying foreign exchange out of China exceeding the declared amount requires a “Foreign Exchange Carrying Certificate” issued by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange.
5. Cultural Relics (including works by deceased modern famous painters) Must be submitted for appraisal by the national cultural administration department before export. When carrying cultural relics out of China, declare them in detail to customs. Customs will verify them based on the appraisal mark and export permit issued by the designated cultural administration department. Do not carry unappraised relics. Failure to declare cultural relics truthfully will result in legal action by customs.
6. Tourism Products For souvenirs and crafts purchased with foreign exchange in China, except for those requiring export licenses or subject to export taxes, customs will verify invoices with the “Foreign Exchange Purchase” stamp issued by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange.
7. Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Medicine Products Travelers can carry up to 300 RMB worth of traditional Chinese medicine or Chinese medicine products for personal use to foreign countries, and up to 1,500 RMB for Hong Kong and Macau. Prices are based on legal commercial invoices within China. For customs clearance of reasonable quantities of traditional Chinese medicine purchased with foreign exchange, an invoice with the “Foreign Exchange Purchase Special Stamp” is required. Exceeding reasonable amounts or carrying musk and items beyond these limits is prohibited. Rhinoceros horn and tiger bone are strictly forbidden.
8. Video Tapes Declare and undergo inspection for video tapes when entering China. Customs will release them after review.
9. Overseas Chinese and Taiwan Compatriots Returning Home Customs will exempt from duty according to the following “limit table” for items carried into China:
   • Food, clothing, apparel, arts and crafts, ordinary watches, and other daily necessities valued at 200 RMB or less: reasonable quantities
   • 400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500 grams of tobacco
   • Two bottles of alcohol (each not exceeding 0.75 liters)
   • Television, washing machine, refrigerator, camera, video recorder, personal computer (including main unit and accessories), audio system, tape recorder, motorcycle, and other daily necessities valued between 500 RMB and 1,000 RMB: one item per year
   • Typewriter and electronic keyboard or camera valued between 200 RMB and 500 RMB: five items per year

Note: Cars are not allowed to be imported; the value of items is based on customs-assessed taxable prices. Used clothing and used bedding are not allowed. For first-time entry or exit within a year, customs will clear the first to third items on the “limit table” duty-free. Items carried out of China, except for prohibited and restricted items, are allowed within reasonable quantities for personal use. For temporary stay travelers carrying luggage exceeding a year, it should be limited to travel necessities. Transit travelers allowed to leave the customs supervision area will have their luggage handled according to short-term traveler regulations.