CarryRules

How much Alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) can I bring into China?

Restricted

You can bring Alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) into China only within the stated limits.

Extra conditions apply

Cabin baggage
Checked baggage
Declaration Above allowance
Limit 1.5 liter

What you need to know

  • 1.5 liter (50.72 US fl oz)
  • Channels: Carried with the traveler
  • Extra conditions apply

On the plane

Airline differences

Important

This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Questions about Alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) in China

How much alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) can I bring into China?
China allows 1.5 liters of alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) per traveller. Above that the goods are treated as an import and duty becomes payable. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.

Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 进境物品关税、增值税、消费税征收办法(国务院关税税则委员会公告2024年第11号附件),第十一条 · verified 2026-09-19

Do I have to declare alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) at China customs?
Only above the allowance. Up to 1.5 liters of alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.

Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 进境物品关税、增值税、消费税征收办法(国务院关税税则委员会公告2024年第11号附件),第十一条 · verified 2026-09-19

What happens if I do not declare alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) 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.

Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — ข้อควรทราบสำหรับการนำของติดตัวเข้าทางอากาศยานสำหรับผู้โดยสาร · verified 2026-09-20

Do duty-free purchases count toward the China allowance for alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap)?
No. China grants an arrival duty-free quota separately from what you carry in, which is why two different numbers circulate for this allowance.

Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — ข้อควรทราบสำหรับการนำของติดตัวเข้าทางอากาศยานสำหรับผู้โดยสาร · verified 2026-09-20

Can I post or ship alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) 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.

Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — ข้อควรทราบสำหรับการนำของติดตัวเข้าทางอากาศยานสำหรับผู้โดยสาร · verified 2026-09-20

Is there a minimum age for the alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) allowance in China?
Yes — 18 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) at all, not a smaller one.

Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — china age limits · verified 2026-09-20

Can I take alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) out of China?
China publishes no separate rule for taking alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the China limit for alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) apply per person or per family?
Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.

Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 进境物品关税、增值税、消费税征收办法(国务院关税税则委员会公告2024年第11号附件),第十一条 · verified 2026-09-19

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 进境物品关税、增值税、消费税征收办法(国务院关税税则委员会公告2024年第11号附件),第十一条. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “对进境居民旅客携带在境外获取总值五千元人民币以内的行李物品,进境非居民旅客携带拟留在境内的总值两千元人民币以内的行李物品,海关予以免税放行。烟草制品、酒精饮料还需符合本办法所附《进境行李物品免税限量表》规定的限量标准。进境旅客,12度以上的酒精饮料1.5升。其中,自香港特别行政区、澳门特别行政区进境的旅客,12度以上的酒精饮料0.75升。”

Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 进境物品关税、增值税、消费税征收办法(国务院关税税则委员会公告2024年第11号附件),第十一条 · verified 2026-09-19

How does China compare with other countries on alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap)?
Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap), 13 limit it and 6 let it through. China is among the ones that set a limit.