How much Alcoholic beverages (all types) can I bring into China?
Declare
You can bring Alcoholic beverages (all types) into China, but you must declare it.
What you need to know
- 1500 milliliter (50.72 fl oz)
- Channels: Carried with the traveler
On the plane
Airline differences
| Airline | Difference from the baseline |
|---|---|
| Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) | Stricter than the standard rule |
Important
This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.
Official sources
- Customs Clearance Guide for International Passengers General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China
Questions about Alcoholic beverages (all types) in China
- How much alcoholic beverages (all types) can I bring into China?
- China allows alcoholic beverages (all types) to be brought in, but it has to be declared once it reaches 1500 milliliters of alcoholic beverages (all types). The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
- Do I have to declare alcoholic beverages (all types) at China customs?
- Yes — it has to be declared to China customs on arrival.
- What happens if I do not declare alcoholic beverages (all types) in China?
- Under 《进境物品关税、增值税、消费税征收办法》第十一条（税委会公告2024年第11号公布，自2024年12月1日施行）, if you declare the excess yourself: a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess. If the goods are found without being declared, the normal duty becomes payable on the excess; an administrative fine is imposed. Under 《中华人民共和国海关行政处罚实施条例》第十九条第二项、第四项（国务院令第420号）: an administrative fine is imposed.
- Do duty-free purchases count toward the China allowance for alcoholic beverages (all types)?
- No. China grants an arrival duty-free quota separately from what you carry in, which is why two different numbers circulate for this allowance.
- Can I post or ship alcoholic beverages (all types) to China instead of carrying it?
- Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.
- Is there a minimum age for the alcoholic beverages (all types) allowance in China?
- Yes — 18 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for alcoholic beverages (all types) at all, not a smaller one.
- Can I take alcoholic beverages (all types) out of China?
- China publishes no separate rule for taking alcoholic beverages (all types) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the China limit for alcoholic beverages (all types) apply per person or per family?
- Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
- Where does this rule come from?
- General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) states it in Customs Clearance Guide for International Passengers. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Inward passengers with the articles listed below SHALL choose “GOODS TO DECLARE” (RED CHANNEL). 1,500ml or above of alcoholic drinks (containing 12% or above alcoholic content);”
- How does China compare with other countries on alcoholic beverages (all types)?
- Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit alcoholic beverages (all types), 13 limit it and 6 let it through. China is among the ones that set a limit.
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — Customs Clearance Guide for International Passengers · verified 2026-09-19
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — Customs Clearance Guide for International Passengers · verified 2026-09-19
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — ข้อควรทราบสำหรับการนำของติดตัวเข้าทางอากาศยานสำหรับผู้โดยสาร · verified 2026-09-20
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — ข้อควรทราบสำหรับการนำของติดตัวเข้าทางอากาศยานสำหรับผู้โดยสาร · verified 2026-09-20
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — ข้อควรทราบสำหรับการนำของติดตัวเข้าทางอากาศยานสำหรับผู้โดยสาร · verified 2026-09-20
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — china age limits · verified 2026-09-20
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — Customs Clearance Guide for International Passengers · verified 2026-09-19
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — Customs Clearance Guide for International Passengers · verified 2026-09-19